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.”

I gave him a look of disgust, then raised a brow. “Your family’s jewelry brand has been doing pretty well, hasn’t it?”

The Cyclone Pack had deep roots in the gemstone industry, and the Hanovers had carved out an empire here. It made perfect sense they’d expand into gemstone jewelry.

According to what Thomas had dug up for me, at least half of the jewelry shops run by the pack were under the Hanovers‘ name.

A few years ago, Preston stumbled upon a premium gemstone. Quentin, always the showman, backed him financially and helped him launch a brand.

With an heir of the Hanovers at the helm, the business boomed—and fast became their most profitable line.

I could see the wariness in Preston’s eyes. I read his thoughts instantly.

“Relax. I don’t want your brand,” I said with a touch of disdain.

“But—if I win, I want your staff. Just the people. I get to choose whoever I want from your store. Deal?”

Preston narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

“My staff? There’s nothing special about them. What exactly are you after?”

“If you’re scared, just say so and quit while you’re ahead.” I shot him a smug, taunting look.

That hit a nerve. “Scared? Please. I’m no coward. Heck, if you win, take the whole brand for all I care! I won’t even blink!”

“Great! In that case, maybe I will take the whole brand, too!” I said boldly, raising my voice so everyone could hear.

“You-!” Preston hadn’t expected that. He froze, caught off guard, not knowing how to respond.

The insult he was about to throw died on his lips and came out instead as an empty threat. “You just wait!”

With that, he stormed off with his men, his pride limping behind him.

The moment they were out of earshot, Melody stepped closer, curiosity written all over her face. “Ms. Carson, don’t tell me you actually know something about rock betting?”

“Not a clue,” I said easily with a carefree smile, shaking my head.

I wasn’t lying. My knowledge of rock betting was surface-level at best—just enough to follow along, thanks to a few lessons from Benjamin.

Truman leaned in then, uninvited. “If Ms. Carson would humble herself to ask, I wouldn’t mind lending a hand again.”

I rolled my eyes hard. “If you don’t want to end up a waste without a wolf, I suggest you stay far, far away from me.”

With that, I turned on my heel and walked off, not bothering to look back.

And I wasn’t joking.

That man is dangerous—in a way that pulled at something inside me. Even worse, I found him charming.

I didn’t want to betray Benjamin.

But if Truman pushed me again, if he crossed the line just once more, I might fight him.

Both of us were alphas; let’s see who came out on top.

Pushing through the crowd, Hera spent a long while sniffing through scents until she finally led me to Humbert.

“Ms. San-”

Before he could finish saying Sander, my glare stopped him cold. He quickly corrected himself. “Ms. Carson! Are you okay? I heard there was trouble at the party. I’ve been searching everywhere for you!”

“I’m fine,” I said, resting my hand casually on his arm and raising an eyebrow. “You know Becky Sweet, right?”

Humbert’s face stiffened.

I smiled, unsurprised.

So, he did know her.