Alpha Hayley's Destined Mate by Andrea Townsend

Chapter 762 The Wager

Hayley's POV:

"Relax," I said with a reassuring smile, giving Melody a calm, steady look before turning to Preston. "Are you gutsy enough to bet against me?"

"Why not?" Preston, clearly intrigued, rubbed his hands together and licked his lips with excitement as he spoke.

"But a real contest needs a little wager to make it interesting." His eyes roamed over me in a way that made my skin crawl.

"What kind of wager are you talking about?" I asked, keeping my tone cool and composed.

Preston grinned, the sleaze practically dripping from him. "Simple. If you lose, you spend a week in my bed. Deal?" He grinned lecherously.

Truman, who had stayed quiet until now, suddenly stiffened. His expression darkened, and a vein pulsed on his forehead. He looked ready to explode.

The sheer rage on his face caught me off guard-and, strangely, it reminded me of Benjamin.

If Benjamin were here, I could only imagine how he'd deal with a sleazeball like Preston.

As my destined mate, Truman's wolf clearly had the same possessive instincts as Hera.

I paused a beat, then calmly replied, "Sure. But what if I win?"

"Then I'm all yours," Preston said smugly. "Do with me as you please."

look of disgust, then raised a brow. "Your family's jewelry brand has been doing pretty well, hasn't

industry, and the Hanovers had carved out an empire here. It made perfect sense they'd expand into gemstone

dug up for me, at least half of the jewelry shops run by the pack were

always

Hanovers at the helm, the business boomed-and fast became their

wariness in Preston's eyes. I read his

I don't want your brand," I said with

people. I get to choose whoever I want from your

narrowed his

There's nothing special about them. What exactly are you

just say so and quit while you're ahead." I shot him a

VE TIC

hit a nerve. "Scared? Please. I'm no coward. Heck, if you win, take the whole brand for all I care! I won't

I will take the whole brand too!" I said boldly, raising my voice so everyone

that. He froze, caught off guard, not knowing

his lips and came out instead as an empty threat. "You

his men, his

they were out of carshot, Melody stepped closer, curiosity written all over her face. "Ms. Carson,

said easily with a carefree smile, shaking my

knowledge of rock betting was

follow along, thanks to a

leaned in then, uninvited. "If Ms. Carson would humble herself

rolled my eyes hard. "If you don't want to end up a waste without a wolf, I suggest