Marked E-Book

Rose Renee

• Herausgeber: Midnight Romance
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

RULE #3 OF WALL STREET:  NEVER BACK DOWN
No one can know I've claimed the human as my mate.
The enemies are at the gates–one wrong move and I’ll lose it all. My world will never be safe for her.
If my pack finds out that I’ve mated a human, they’ll revolt. The fractures will grow deeper than ever and we'll be picked apart one by one. 
The lives of everyone I love hang in the balance. 
Madison may bear my mark, but she isn’t content to remain my dirty little secret. 
Now I must choose–love or my pack. 
Either way, one will die.

Marked is book three in the Big Bad Boss trilogy. The books must be read in order. It features a billionaire boss-hole wolf shifter and his freakishly smart assistant.

Leseprobe

Big Bad Boss

Marked

Werewolves of Wall Street

Book 3

Renee Rose

Lee Savino

Midnight Romance Publishing

Copyright © May 2024 Big Bad Boss: Marked by Renee Rose and Lee Savino

All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

Published in the United States of America

Midnight Romance, LLC

This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imaginations or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book contains descriptions of many BDSM and sexual practices, but this is a work of fiction and, as such, should not be used in any way as a guide. The author and publisher will not be responsible for any loss, harm, injury, or death resulting from use of the information contained within. In other words, don’t try this at home, folks!

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Epilogue

After-Epilogue

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Prologue

The Blackthroat king has a new weakness. She will destroy everything he desires.

–The Adalwulf Seeress

Aster

I gaze out the window at the crystalline lake. The Adalwulf mansion sits nestled at the foot of a mountain, in the crook of an old-growth pine forest. To most, this beautiful behemoth of a building is a historic wonder set in an evergreen paradise.

To me, it’s a prison.

Behind me, Oma sits bent in her chair, her eyes fixed on the crackling fire.

“Snow’s coming tonight,” she croaks.

Great. Snow is just what this giant, echo-y mansion needs. By this time tomorrow morning, this whole place will turn into a setting for The Shining.

Naw, Stephen King would think this place is too creepy. If I listen closely, I can hear the furious howls of the Adalwulf ancestors echoing off the mountains. Even someone not prone to visions would pick up on the creepy vibe.

I sense my soon-to-be Alpha’s approach before I hear his thundering footfalls on the ancient wood floors. Not even the priceless rugs can dampen Aiden’s stomps. The Adalwulf prince can move as soundlessly as a wolf when he wants to. He doesn’t want to today.

Something’s pissed him off.

Oma tilts her head, and I rise and open the door before Aiden can batter it down. “Welcome, Aiden.” I greet him with my eyes fixed on the floor. I've learned not to look the dominant wolf in the eye. I know the consequences of standing up to an alpha.

Whether or not my second cousin will be as cruel an alpha as my uncle remains to be seen.

Aiden sweeps by me without acknowledging my presence and heads to the window to overlook the lake, surveying the territory that will soon be his.

“He’s plotting something,” Aiden mutters to the glass, “I know he is.”

I don’t have to ask who Aiden is talking about. Brick Blackthroat is his nemesis. Our family, the Adalwulfs, struck a blow to the Blackthroat family business years ago. But Brick has defied the odds and built back everything they lost. And more.

I’d admire it if thinking well of a Blackthroat wasn’t treason here.

“How is my grandnephew?” Oma asks.

Aiden turns. “Father is doing well this morning.”

We can all hear the lie in his voice. But we don’t comment on it. When Odin dies, Aiden will lose his father, and we will lose our alpha. The driving force behind our pack.

“I need a vision,” Aiden says.

Oma cackles, showing her sharp incisors. “If only, great-grandnephew. Visions don’t come at my beck and call.”

“Insight, then.” Aiden paces in front of the window.

“I have seen nothing, but perhaps Aster can help you,” Oma says. Throwing me to the wolves as I knew she would. “She’s been having visions of the Blackthroat pack.”

Aiden turns the full force of his silver gaze on me. “Is this true?”

I swallow and take my place in the center of the carpet, head bowed. Aiden’s alpha presence is a power that thickens the air, making it hard for me to breathe.

“Yes, Aiden,” I murmur. “I’ve had a few dreams. A few blurred images and impressions. Not much.”

“Tell me.” His voice echoes with power. The command hooks into my belly, and the vision vomits forth.

“I’ve seen the Blackthroat alpha. He’s standing tall and proud, a captain at the helm of his ship.” I swallow, waiting for Aiden to start raging. Odin doesn’t believe in the phrase “don’t shoot the messenger.” The alpha wouldn’t hurt Oma, but I often wind up confined to my room with nothing but bread and water for weeks as punishment for the visions not showing me what Odin wanted to see.

Aiden is calmer than his father. Colder. He’s a patient hunter, standing perfectly still until his prey feels safe coming near. But once your guard is down, he rips out your throat.

“His pack is crumbling around him. Even his second in command stands to oppose him.”

“Do you know why?” Aiden sounds smug. He knows something.

I screw my eyes shut. Washed-out images appear in my mind’s eye, too fuzzy for me to see any details. I sense the powerful energy surrounding Brick Blackthroat and the top wolves in his pack. “There’s a change coming to his inner circle.” I tilt my head. There’s a light in the corner of my vision, a bright glow. It pulses, growing stronger. “A newcomer.” My voice takes on a new urgency. “Someone unexpected. Someone who will upset the balance of the pack–forever.”

My head buzzes as I let the images fade.

Oma sits back in her cozy armchair, a satisfied smile on her wrinkled face. “It’s as I foretold. The Blackthroat has a weakness. A female.”

“A mate?” Aiden’s eyes flash brighter.

“I believe so,” Oma says.

“Anything else you can tell me?”

“She’s not from the Blackthroat pack,” I offer.

“Are you sure?” Aiden snaps.

I touch my head where a throbbing pain has blossomed, filling my eye socket. “I’m sure.”

“Trust her visions. Aster’s strong.” Oma gives me a rare compliment. “She is ready to replace me as pack Seeress when the time comes.”

I grit my teeth. The walls of the room tilt this way and that. I blink a few times to reorient myself.

“I know he's planning something,” Aiden rants. “They stole the acreage next to our land. The seller refused to deal with me, and now the Blackthroats have it. They’ll be able to camp right on our borders if they want to.” Aiden clenches his fists, looking like he’s about to burst out of his skin and into wolf form any second. His voice drops to a lower register. “I need to know his weakness,” he growls. “Now.”

“We will tell you more as soon as we know it,” Oma says.

“See that you do. Thank you.” Aiden turns, nodding to include me in his thanks.

I bow my head, the picture of a submissive wolf. Better to hide my defiance or find subtle ways to express it. For years, I’ve pretended to be obedient, quietly riding under the radar.

Now Oma is shining a spotlight on my gifts. What will life in the pack be like when she and Odin die, and Aiden and I take our new positions in the pack?

The floor under my feet feels uneven. I pushed too hard. As soon as Aiden’s powerful presence recedes, I slump into a chair.

“Breathe, child. You extended too far.”

“He gave me a command.” I lean forward and let my head drop between my knees.

“He’ll learn to temper his power, just as you will learn to control yours.”

I give the smallest nod I can without jarring my head. It still hurts.

Oma’s right, I need to learn to control my power. Not so I can serve as Seeress, though I don’t know how I’m going to wriggle out of that duty. I need to control my visions, so I can continue to hide the truth of what I’ve seen. Every time I dream of the Blackthroats, a man’s face comes into view clearly.

I don’t know if he’s one of the Blackthroats. He might well be the one I spoke of–someone close to the inner circle but not part of the pack. Soon to upset the balance.

And his fate is entwined with mine. The more I see him, the more I’m sure. This man, my sworn enemy, is my destiny.

I have to guard that information at all costs. If Oma or Aiden find out, they’ll tell Odin. And my life–and that of my future mate–will be over.

ChapterOne

Brick

The second I enter the concert venue that’s the site of the pack meeting, my wolf raises his head. He’s been sulking about leaving our mate behind, but the thick scent of a building full of shifters gets his attention.

All of my top wolves wait in the green room behind the stage. Everyone but Billy. I shake Jake’s hand and let Vance clap me on the back. I nod to Sully, who lurks in the shadows as usual. Every once in a while, he touches his coiled earpiece, communicating with his security team.

Behind me, Eagle and Nickel confer on how best to introduce me to the audience full of my pack. The two of them met me at my private gym, where I showered off Madi’s scent and changed into freshly dry-cleaned clothes. My wolf hates that we don’t smell like our mate, but this is how it has to be.

This is for the best.

“It’s time,” Eagle says. In the dim light of the backstage room, his eyes gleam with an eerie light. He blinks, and his wolf recedes.

Everyone’s on edge. My top wolves study me, searching for any sign of moon madness. For any sign that I’ve changed since claiming my mate.

My wolf whines, wanting to return to Madi’s side. Soon, I tell him. She’s safe.

We had two whole days of pleasure. Now I have to attend to business.

Nickel heads out, and the room falls silent. The audience is full of shifters and only shifters. Almost two thousand of my pack gathered to see if I am fit to lead them.

They need me to be the alpha I was born to be. I have to forget her.

My whole pack’s existence depends on it.

Nickel leans into the microphone. “Allow me to introduce…your alpha.”

I stride onto the stage. The place is packed. There are some rows of chairs in the front of the room and in the balconies, but most of the room is standing room only. We’re probably a little over capacity. Nickel must have bribed the fire marshall.

There’s a small platform with a microphone on a tripod. No podium, nothing for me to hide behind. Communication is ninety percent body language, and they need to see my posture and my hands.

We’re not politicians, my father used to sneer. We’re not humans in a democracy. We rule on the strength and power of our wolves.

I stare into the sea of glittering eyes. This place is packed with predators, and at the first sign of weakness, they’ll tear me apart. The truth is, I am still in a weakened state from wrestling with my wolf during my moon madness, but I’m not going to show that to anyone–not even my inner circle.

The alpha must be strong, or the pack’s enemies will destroy us.

I won’t let that happen.

“Welcome. It’s good to see you all here today. I understand you have some concerns, and this meeting was called to allay them. In a moment, we’ll address your questions, and the mutiny some of you are plotting. But first, I understand there are rumors that I’m moon mad.” I spread my arms. “Take a good look,” I challenge. “I’ll wait.” I let silence fall over the place.

A few of the laser bright eyes wink out, one pair at a time. A sign that I’ve calmed at least a few of them.

“The next wolf who accuses me of moon madness will answer to me personally.”

I signal my top wolves, and they walk out and line the stage behind me. Guarding my back as well as watching the crowd. This is the show of strength my pack requires.

“I am your alpha.”

More of the gleaming pairs of eyes dull. Every wolf in the front row bows their heads or raises their chins to show their necks.

I seek out the pockets of resistance, looking for the heads of families that Nickel and Eagle spoke to. Most of them followed my dad, preferring his brutish leadership. I’ve won them over with hard work, honesty, loyalty, and Moon Co’s meteoric rise. It’s time for them to return the favor.

I glare at the top detractors until they also angle their heads, giving me a clear view of their jugulars.

“We are pack.”

“We are pack.” The unified response thunders through the vast room, shaking the walls.

“By now, most of you have heard of the Adalwulf spy. I’m pleased to report we have rooted him out. He’s being held in a secure location at the moment. My cousin, Sullivan Blackthroat, can confirm that. We have him and his team to thank for doing the work of uncovering the spy and securing Moon Co against any further attacks.” I wave for him to step forward. My father never gave credit to any of his top wolves, in case they sought support among the pack ranks and turned on him. But a stronger alpha acknowledges that he can’t lead a giant pack alone.

I wait for the smattering of applause to die down.

“And our flagship company, Moon Co, has completed an acquisition that will add billions to our bottom line. Nicholas Cavendish, Jacob Jordan, and many of you have worked on the deal. Victory to you and the entire pack.”

This time the applause is more hearty. It helps that Jake plays to the crowd and takes a bow while Vance sweeps his hands up, encouraging everyone to raise the roof. I lean into the levity, thanking them both. They high five, and the mood of the room gets more relaxed. There are several stoic, stony faces sprinkled in the crowd but not as many as before.

“I’d keep listing the pack’s wins, but we’d be here all day. It’s time for some questions.” I motion to Eagle, who takes a handheld mic down to the floor. He heads straight for an older, distinguished-looking wolf named Lowell Hunt. Lowell used to be one of my father’s top wolves.

No softball questions for me.

“Is it true you lost control in front of the Adalwulfs?” Lowell frowns at me under bristling salt-and-pepper brows. I stare back until he averts his gaze.

“It is.” I’m not my father. I acknowledge my weaknesses instead of browbeating the questioner. “It was a moment of tension, and my wolf and I felt it required a show of strength.” Truth. “It was the wrong move, and it won’t happen again.” Truth again. Now that Madi bears my mark, my wolf will be satisfied. I won’t have to fight him constantly. He’ll allow me to remain in control as long as Madi is safe.

“What about rumors that you have a mate?”

“Do you see a mate up here?” I make a show of looking around. “One day I hope to stand up here and present you to the one Fate chose for me.” My wolf scores my insides with savage claws. I’m dancing around the question like a fucking coward. I can never publicly claim a human mate, not without relinquishing my role. There’s no chance the pack would accept her. It’s not even safe to hint at her while the Adalwulfs are a threat to us. And they’ll always be a threat as long as Odin or Aiden live and breathe. “Today is not that day.”

“So you’ll be going to the Mating Games in a few days?” someone shouts from the back of the room. There are murmurs and rustling as wolves turn to see who shouted out of turn.

I recognize that voice. It’s Billy, near the exits. The crowd parts to let him through. I haven’t seen him for a while–my wolf still wants to kill him for thinking Madi was a traitor. He stares up at the stage with haunted eyes.

Is he challenging my dominance? Or is he teeing up questions for me to help me save face?

Either way, I have to answer him.

Fuck. I grit my teeth.

“Yes. Now that we’ve uncovered the Adalwulf plot and secured our dominant position in business, mating is my top priority.” My wolf is restless, hating the way I’m doing this. He thinks I’m betraying Madi. But I’m just trying to keep her–and everyone I love–safe. “As soon as I wrap up a few things here, I’ll fly to the Swedish Pack Games along with my top wolves. We’ll see if there are any hearts that Mr. Jordan has yet to break.” Jake takes the jibe with a grin and a shrug.

“Any other questions?”

“Yes.” A burly wolf in the middle of the tenth row stands up. “I challenge you for Alpha.”

The venue explodes. There are shouts of anger. Of encouragement. I look to Eagle. He’s nodding slightly.

The challenger clambers past other wolves in his row, headed toward me.

“That wasn’t a question,” I chide. “But I accept your challenge.” I knew I wouldn’t get out of here without a fight.

Down on the floor, Nickel and Eagle wave wolves back to create a space for us to face off. I step off the podium, shrug off my suit jacket, and hand it to Vance. Even without the microphone, my voice carries to the back of the room. “Let’s do this.”

ChapterTwo

Madi

I pace Brick’s luxury high-rise. It’s been over an hour since he left, but I’m still trembling. Whether it’s from anger or fear, I can’t be sure.

I’m essentially a prisoner right now. A mistress locked in a tower.

Brick’s dirty little secret.

It makes me want to puke.

I’ve started to call Aubrey three times and then stopped. What can I tell her that would make sense? My Big Bad Boss, who for two short days I considered my boyfriend, thinks I’m in danger and is keeping me under lock and key?

That wouldn’t make sense without the part I can’t tell anyone–that the billionaire boss is also a werewolf. Ha–there are Werewolves of Wall Street. Wish I could share that joke with Aubrey.

For the first time in my life, a sense of helplessness creeps in. I’ve always been driven. I’ve relied on my brains to get me out of any and every dilemma. To engineer my way into my desired positions and perform at top level.

But, as Brick said–this isn’t my world.

I don’t even know where to start when there are two burly wolves outside the door keeping me prisoner. It would be easier if I weren’t in love. If I hadn’t tasted the sweetness of being loved and doted on by Brick. Watching my powerful, hot boss-hole melt into someone real, someone who shows me his vulnerabilities and promises me forever. It would be easier if I didn’t care about protecting him and what’s important to him.

But all of those things are true.

I’ve been avoiding that uncomfortable truth for a few months, but after nearly losing Brick to moon madness, I can’t deny what he means to me. And now that he’s marked me, he’s admitted what I mean to him.

Except no. He hasn’t. Or at least he’s admitted it to me, but he doesn’t want his pack to know.

Just like my asshole sperm donor refused to acknowledge me or stay with my mom after she got pregnant because she didn’t fit into the high society circle of the Harrington’s.

I hate him for that.

A knock sounds at the door, startling me out of my thoughts. No matter–my brain wasn’t on a path to solving anything today.

I draw in a measured breath and exhale.

What could this be? One of the henchmen asking to use the bathroom? I can’t imagine they’d let anyone through. As I approach the door, I hear the lock click open.

“Ms. Evans?” A deep voice speaks on the other side. “Mr. Blackthroat sent this visitor.”

For one brief moment, my heart leaps, thinking it will be Aubrey or my mom. I’ve only been locked up for a few hours, but I already feel so cut-off and isolated. It’s like I’ve been gone for an eternity instead of a couple of days.

But when I pull the door open, I find a gorgeous, middle-aged woman the size of a twig, dressed like she’s on a Paris runway. Beside her are three racks of clothing.

“Hello, Ms. Evans. I’m Elise Wang, your personal stylist from Zoe Couture.” She’s already rolling one of the racks through the door. The henchmen help her, rolling the other two in behind it then exiting. “Mr. Blackthroat sent me over to get started on your wardrobe.” She flicks a glance over my figure and begins to pull items from the racks.

I blink. “My wardrobe?” My stomach bunches up. Is this part of Blackthroat’s makeover to make me more acceptable to his social strata? “I don’t need a wardrobe.”

Screw him. If I have to stay here as his prisoner, he can look at me in the same yoga pants and sweater I’ve been wearing since Ruby picked me up in the limo to save Brick two days ago. If he wants to see me in something cuter, he can let me go home.

Except…my chest aches when I remember that we will not be returning to that routine of me dressing to kill and coming into work to torture him. I’m still fired from Moon Co. He’s not my Big Bad Boss anymore.

He’s not even my boyfriend. He’s something else. Something I don’t understand since I’m not one of them.

“Today is just an introduction–an opportunity for me to get to know your style and preferences.” Elise ignores my protest. “Then I’ll take your measurements and put together a complete wardrobe over a series of months or even the year as we move through each season.”

Elise hands me a pair of champagne pink and black striped wide leg pants. “These would look amazing on you. I think they might be your size. Try them with this.” She hands me a black knit top that’s strapless, except it has detached sleeves.

I’m not a clothes horse. Not by any means. But the clothes she thrust in my hands are exquisite. The knit top must be cashmere–it feels so soft–and the pants are clearly expensive designer-made, with a high-waisted cut that will make me look tall and leggy.

Okay, fine. Brick wants to buy me designer clothes? We’ll see his reaction when I take one of everything.

I take the things back into the bedroom and try them on.

Elise taps on the door a moment later.

“Come on in.” I survey myself in the mirror. The wound on my shoulder where Brick bit me stands out against my pale skin. Will it go away? My breath shudders in the memory of it. How we almost lost him. The importance of this mark to him.

To me, it now looks like a brand. I belong to Brick Blackthroat now. I’m his to lock up in his penthouse and throw away the key.

“Oh yes. I knew you were going to rock that. It’s a great look for you.” She has a heap of gorgeous items draped over her arm. She lays them on the bed. “What size shoe are you? That outfit would look great with black stiletto boots. I brought a few pair.”

“Size seven.” I turn and look at the clothing. It’s all high fashion stuff–probably close to a hundred thousand dollars worth just right there on my bed. If Brick thinks dropping six figures on my wardrobe will change anything about this fucked up situation, he’s wrong.

But I might as well enjoy the experience.

Part of me is still making an exit plan. But that’s an old mental habit from when he was my boss. When I was trying to protect my heart.

Now it’s too late. My heart belongs to him, and he’s something…different to me.

But what he is–what we are–isn’t clear. And I really don’t like murky, undefined situations.

I spend the next hour trying on clothes, letting Elise style me and then telling her which outfits I like best.

She leaves me with every single item of clothing on her racks that fits me, along with staples of silk panties, bras, pajamas, loungewear, athleisure wear, and casuals, and promises to return tomorrow with the things that she didn’t have in my size and additional items she wants to shop for now that she knows my taste.

When she leaves, I feel even more hollow than before she came. I walk to the giant wall of windows overlooking Central Park and look down.

The problem is not just the literal prison I’m in. I could certainly strategize my way out of this building.

The problem is one of my own making. One that wants to somehow keep Brick. To make something work with him. To have the bliss of the last two days without giving up my entire life and identity for it.

A key turns in the lock. I round on Brick, prepared to give him a piece of my mind, but I stop short with a gasp.

My boss is soaked in blood. His crisp white button-down shirt is stained at the side with it, and there are dark red streaks on his neck at the open throat.

Even more frightening–there’s an aggressive, frantic edge to him. His hair is tousled, and his eyes are brighter than I’ve ever seen, filling the room with an amber light.

“Madi.” He walks straight toward me. His expression is dark and determined.

“Brick! What happened?”

Before I know it’s coming, he snatches me up against him and presses his face to my neck. One deep inhale, and his body relaxes by a few degrees. “That’s better.” Another inhale. A few more degrees. “Thank you,” he murmurs against my skin.

“For what?” I try to push away, so I can figure out how he is injured, but he holds me tight.

“For you. For being here, safe.”

Some of my anger falls away.

I don’t know why I’m suddenly trembling all over, my knees weak, my heart pounding.

“I need you, Madi.”

His mouth opens, and he’s suddenly kissing along my neck, licking the place where he marked me to speed the healing.

I don’t mean to respond. I want to hold out. To have a long conversation. To work things out with him.

But instead, I find myself with my legs wrapped around his waist, being carried into the bathroom. My body responds to this man without my brain even participating.