Chapter Three: Bargaining Off the Liability

"You have to get rid of that girl before she ensnares my son in her web," Vicky told Donkor as she walked into the sitting room after him. Donkor plopped down on the armchair at the head of the table, the seat he most commonly occupied as the head of the house. He was still livid about the thought of his son going against him in defense of Layla. His teeth were clenched hard as the events that had occurred a few minutes ago in Layla's room replayed in his mind. He couldn't get it out of his head, and it infuriated him. He gave out a harsh growl and hit the inside of his palm with his fist, fuming with unbridled rage. "I have no idea why we have to put up with some girl that barren woman picked up from God knows where." Vicky hissed, rolling her eyes. "Watch your mouth!" Donkor hissed through his breath. He turned his glare on Vicky, and she retreated a step from the harshness of his looks. "Don't even start with me, Donkor," she bit through her teeth, her breath hanging in her throat. Donkor released his breath and calmed his fury. He sank back into the armchair, leaning his arms on either arm of the chair. Seeing his tense shoulders relax, Vicky crossed to his side quickly and took a seat in the chair beside him. She leaned forward, her arms pressing into the arm of the chair as she whispered, ""Why don't we auction her off? We could kill two birds with a stone." Donkor looked at her, and one of his brows arched.  Vicky continued, "I heard news when I went to town a few days ago that Alpha Malachi of the Night Fury pack needs women to fill his harem." Donkor's eyes widened as he digested the information Vicky had given. "How can you think of such a ludicrous thought? Aren't you aware of the rumors about him? He is brutal with his women, Vicky. That's why he keeps needing more to fill his harem." Vicky straightened in her seat. "What do you care what he does with her? Isn't it the end goal that matters? Or do I need to remind you that we could be homeless any moment from now if you don't act on paying up your gambling debts?" Donkor's eyes widened in surprise. "Yes," Vicky sneered, scornfully battling her eyelashes at him. "I know everything. As if splurging that girl's money on gambling wasn't enough, you had the guts to get into  debt." She scowled. "You signed this house off as collateral to pay your debts. This is all you have left of your inheritance, you foolish man!"  "Vicky!" He cautioned. "Don't yell at me!" Vicky returned, getting to her feet. "You're no man until you live up to your role, Donkor. You need money. There. I've told you one way. The ball is in your court now." She hissed in his face and walked out on him. Donkor shifted uncomfortably in his seat after Vicky had left. His mouth twisted into a frown as he considered Vicky's words, calculating the odds of them. He wanted nothing to do with Alpha Kai, but Vicky was right. He could kill two birds with a single throw. He placed a call via Alpha Malachi's hotline, and his secretary picked it up. He remained silent on the other end of the receiver until Donkor spoke first. Donkor cleared his throat and began, "I need to speak with Alpha Malachi." His secretary's voice boomed as he responded, "Name, please." "Could you schedule an appointment for me with him? I have something that might pique his interest." "Name," the man repeated. "I'm Alpha Donkor of the Crescent Creeks Pack." There was a brief silence on the line, and Donkor at first thought he had gone off the call. "Hello." "What do you have?" The man asked snidely. Donkor frowned, irritated by the condescension in the man's voice. Being the secretary of a brutal Alpha wasn't a dignified position, and that didn't give him an edge over him. He was an Alpha, for crying out loud. "I would like to speak directly to the Alpha," he gritted the words through his teeth, authority booming in his inflection. A dry laugh echoed over the call, and the man hissed. "Some Alpha you are, and a cocky bastard at that." Donkor was furious. "You..." "The Alpha doesn't speak with anyone." I'm not anyone. Donkor wanted to argue, but then he calmed after his mind reasoned he couldn't mess this up before it began. It was correct that he had something valuable to offer to the Alpha, but he was more desperate between the two from the trade-by-barter proposition he had for the brutal Alpha. Alpha Malachi could always get women to fill his harem, while he couldn't get the money he needed as easily as Alpha Kai could fill up his harem. "So, I will ask again. What do you have to give to the Alpha? Make it quick. I've wasted enough time with you." Donkor resisted the urge to scoff at the man's curtness. He swallowed down his pride and replied, "I have a gift for the Alpha's harem. Trust me, he won't want to miss it." There was another pause as the man considered his offer. "Very well. Next week. Hotel Boulderado. 9p.m. Be there with your gift." Donkor's lifted the corner of his mouth with a half smile as he answered, "I will be there." The call ended abruptly before he concluded his words. Donkor stared at the phone, resisting the urge to slam it against the ground. He wished he had the luxury to do that, but he couldn't. His blood boiled within him, and he squeezed the phone in his grasp. How long did he have to stoop to get some money?  He hissed through his breath. The evening following that day, he went to Layla's room with a package in his hand. Layla leapt to her feet as she saw Donkor walking in, lowering her gaze quickly while she stifled a whimper. Thoughts raced in her mind as to what she could have done to ignite his fury. It wasn't the end of the month, as that was about the only time he sought her, and she had made sure to avoid attracting his attention to herself. She had done all the house chores she was tasked to do as invisibly as she could make herself be. She never had to help out in the kitchen, as quoted by Vicky: "I won't have your filthy hands preparing the food my family and I will eat." He extended a small cosmetics bag towards her. "Here." Her hand shook as she took it from him. She subtly licked her lips to mitigate her nervousness in his presence. "There is a balm in there. Apply it to the scars on your back. It will help to repair your damaged skin." Layla's mouth parted wordlessly at Donkor's gesture. She couldn't remember the last time he had gotten her a gift, following her mother's death. Was he back? Was the father she had known back? She knew better than to delude herself into thinking so. "Apply it twice daily for a full week. You must apply it to every part of your body that is scarred. You heard me?" He barked. Layla nodded quickly, biting down on a wince.  Thank goodness she wasn't fooled by his nice approach. Donkor was never nice. He was bitter, cruel, and calculating. She waited for it, and he informed her, "You and I are going downtown Boulder next week."