The Alpha's Secret Human Sugar Baby - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Aurora POV
Ivy’s hand falls away and finally releases me from Alpha Thorne’s words. Had he really just said that?
Ivy and Jackson stare, stunned, before turning to me.
“How did you get involved with my brother?” She hisses accusingly, like I snuck my way in and manipulated him somehow. As if I could ever manipulate someone as strong and intelligent as Alpha Thorne is said to be.
“You slept with the Alpha?” Jackson barks angrily, his face pinching in fury. I take a step back, then freeze. This is not my fault. I’ve done nothing wrong here.
I glance at Alpha Thorne then back at the two who hurt me, answering them, “We’re both single, and it was mutual. I didn’t force anyone to do anything.”
Thorne’s eyes blaze with anger at my words, and a bit of satisfaction. I’m not sure why but provoking him is kind of fun. I don’t mean to, but that spark makes me feel a bit proud that I can get to him.
“What’s your relationship with Jackson?” Thorne asks, turning fully to face me. Ivy balks at him, her jaw dropping open even wider as he gives me his attention. It’s like she never thought he would give me the time of day… just like I never thought he would either.
However, before I have a chance to answer, Jackson jumps in and stands between us.
“Alpha, she’s a human girl who’s been trying to cling to me,” Jackson lies, and when I look at Thorne to protest, he’s already glaring at Jackson for speaking for me.
“I asked Aurora,” Thorne rumbles, his expression darkening.
Jackson stutters and steps aside, letting me look up at Thorne. This is so different than I expected. I don’t know what to say until Thorne turns his eyes back on me, and they soften slightly.
Knowing that Thorne bought Jackson’s studio gives me courage. He’s a businessman as well as an Alpha, and if he’s as smart as everyone says, Thorne will understand when someone tells the truth. At least, I hope he will.
I hold my head high and answer his question, “I worked as Jackson’s assistant, and I came to get the money he still owes me.”
“S-Sir, I was going to pay,” Jackson stutters, moving in between us again. “I was going to get to it soon, but I will do it now.”
I nearly laugh as he jumps into action, pulling his checkbook out of his jacket pocket along with a pen. Like the dutiful person he pretends to be, he quickly writes a check for me. I know he’s only doing it to get rid of me and to save face with the Alpha, but whatever it is, I accept the check quickly, so he can’t take it back.
As Jackson moves back to Ivy’s side, Thorne looks at his sister. She keeps her innocent expression for him, but it falters when she sees the cold expression on his face.
While they’re all distracted with each other, I take several steps back, and when they still don’t notice me leaving, I finally make my escape. Staying here would be a bad move. I have no place among high-ranking wolves, so getting in the middle of their business would be suicide.
Thorne POV
I notice Aurora sneaking away, but I bring no attention to it. She doesn’t need more mistreatment from anyone here. My eyes move between my sister and Jackson, wondering what the story here is.
I’d heard Aurora say that Jackson locked her up, so I don’t doubt the bruises around her throat are his doing either.
“Kill him,” my wolf growls, pushing against the thin layer of consciousness separating him and the world.
“I’m not killing him,” I mutter then turn my attention to Ivy again.
“You should think carefully about marriage,” I tell her sternly, which makes her shrink away a bit.
“Brother, Jackson is perfect. He’s hardworking, handsome, and loves me. What else could I ask for?” She grins and flutters her eyelashes like that’ll change my mind.
Does she think something so insincere would sway me?
Nodding, I cross my arms, “I will respect your decision, Ivy, but I won’t be attending dinner tonight. Something has come up.”
With that, I leave them and make my way to my car.
Aurora POV
I finally make it back to the street where I can breathe properly. No one is crowding me, no one is threatening me, and no one is touching me.
Though, the pain is still there. My shoulders throb where Ivy clawed me, but I realize it could be worse. If Thorne hadn’t stepped in, I would have been seriously injured. Ivy is ruthless and obviously has no care for human life. All she cares about is her rank and power.
I have other things to care about. My priority, now, is to gather enough money to pay off the debt I owe. I have this check from Jackson, which will help, but it’s not enough. The balance in my bank account isn’t enough either.
How am I supposed to come up with so much money?
As I turn to cross the street, a luxury car blocks my way, so I turn the other way and freeze. Several large men walk toward me. One has a long pipe in his hand, while the other three are empty handed, but the glint of metal on one of their hands sends a wave of nerves through me.
“Ms. Roberts, we wanna talk with you,” one of the men says as they form a half circle around me. I step back, teetering on the edge of the sidewalk.
“We’re here to collect the debt you owe,” another one growls, tapping the pipe on the concrete by his feet.
My heart lurches, and my stomach rolls as fear ripples through me.
“I’ll pay, but this is all I have with me,” I tell them, passing the check Jackson had given me to the man in the middle. He snatches it out of my hand and looks down at the paper, sneering.
“This isn’t nearly what you owe.”
“I-I know, but I can get the rest soon. I just need a bit more time,” I beg. If they decide to attack, I won’t be able to walk away from this. They have murder in their eyes, or at least the intent to seriously injure me.
The man on the left moves quickly, grabbing me by the back of the neck. I gasp and try to move away, but he tightens his hold while yanking my face to his, “Listen here, little human. You’ll pay us what you owe or you’ll face the consequences.”
“Please, I—”
“What’s going on here?”
The men turn, and the one holding me lets go. I also turn toward the luxury car that had blocked my way earlier. The front window is down, revealing Thorne’s handsome face. His sharp eyes are trained on the debt collectors, especially the one who grabbed me.
“I asked you a question,” Thorne says.
The men in front of me scramble to answer, and one of them finally spits out, “She owes money.”
“Why would you lend money to a human with such low economic standing?” Thorne questions, leaning on the window and narrowing his eyes. “I doubt legal collection agents carry pipes, brass knuckles, and knives.”
Knives?
I glance at the men to find the one who grabbed me holding a knife. Was he about to use that on me?
“If you want to make it through the night, I suggest you get out of my sight,” Thorne growls, the air thickening with an overwhelming authority. I guess what they say about Thorne’s word being law is true because the debt collectors shove each other to bow repeatedly. They apologize before taking off and leaving me shaking from fear.
I stand there for a moment, trying to get ahold of myself. If he had come a moment later, I don’t want to think about what those men were about to do.
“Th-thank you, Alpha Thorne,” I say, bowing like I’ve seen the werewolves do.
Thorne merely nods and a click sounds.
“Get in the car. I have things to say to you.”