Chapter 35

In the morning Ina, clad in white dress with puffy eyes, was sitting in her room waiting to be called. Soon a servant knocked and Ina left the room following a young man. He led her to an office. Lord Balor was already sitting at a desk and writing something. The servant bowed and left quickly.

"How was your night?" He asked without looking at her.

"Very well, my Lord." Ina responded in a hushed voice.

"Was the room to your liking?" He continued the interrogation.

"The room is very pretty." That was true, the room was better than hers.

"Have you thought about my offer?" He raised his head and looked at her. 

"I did sir."

"And?" He stopped writing and put the quill aside.

"Tempting." That was all Ina was willing to say to the killer of her mother. But she did something more, she released some of her pheromones, not much, just a little to tease that old Alpha. 

"Ha, ha ha. You sly little thing. I like you." He stood up and came closer, lifting her head.

"So be it. I shall talk to Jiha. I will double your price and speak some reason into his silly head. Then you shall be mine. As soon as this happens, I will spoil you if you behave like a good girl." He smiled and Ina managed to smile a bit in response too. 

"You should eat something and then you may stay in your room." He said while walking back to the desk.

"My Lord, may I stay here?" Ina asked sheepishly.

"You want to be here with me?"

Ina nodded and then added.

"I will be quiet my Lord, you won't notice me." 

Lord Balor smiled widely. From his expression Ina could tell what he was thinking. That old geezer felt young again and what is more he thought of himself as a great charmer. But he was so wrong, this Omega is going to watch your every step and look for your weaknesses. 

"Fine, sit on the sofa. I will call for the servants to bring you some food."

Soon after two servants came with trays of food and drink. Ina was eating slowly enjoying the tasty food, especially the costly fruits she couldn't eat in Jiha's and Adeline's house.

The office was busy, some people were coming, talking about business and Ina listened to it all. It was midday when an unexpected guest was announced. Ina was waiting full of expectation, this encounter will show whether she gambled right or should she think about a different solution.

The door opened and Jiha stepped in. He didn't notice Ina as she was sitting quietly right behind his back at the every moment.

"My dear son, what brings you here so early? How was your trip?"

"Father." Jiha bowed a bit then sat down opposite Belmor.

"The Rojans are very hard opponents in negotiation. They are going to visit us soon. From what I have learned they are willing to cooperate thus some more meetings need to follow before we agree upon the details." Jiha was playing with his fingers, that was a clear sign for Ina that he was nervous. 

"Good, we are slowly in a tight spot. The water pump in the main waterworks is barely working. We need their engineers." Lord Balor sighted and scratched his head.

"Well we seem to be making progress, anyway I came here for another reason." Jiha apparently wanted to switch the topic.

"Which is? " Lord Balor obviously decided to pretend he knew nothing. Ina was waiting for Jiha's move.

"Thank you for keeping an eye on my property but now I want my Omega back." His voice immediately hardened. 

Lord Balor sighted and leaned back in his chair.

"Jiha, I know my daughter well. She is strong, caring, smart and proud too. She hates that Omega. I believe there is a better solution. I shall pay you the double price for her and all your problems with Adeline will disappear." Lord Balor was talking in a calm manner yet Ina could see veins popping on Jiha's forehead. Good.

"Adeline is my wife and I will deal with her at home with all the right respect, yet I have my rights too. You yourself father had a few Omegas while being married. It has never been a problem for your wife. I expected the same level of behavior from your daughter. After all, I'm an Alpha too. I shall not allow a woman to rule in my house." Jiha was pissed as hell. Ina felt an inner joy.

"Think about it, Jiha. I gave you great advice and a perfect solution." Lord Belor stood up abruptly.

"Ina come here." He raised his hand and Ina stood up from the corner of the sofa she was quietly sitting on.

Jiha turned around, for a moment his face looked like it was carved in stone. Then he grabbed Ina's hand and without a single word left Belmor's office.

Ina was close behind him in complete silence; they covered the distance to the carriage. As soon as they got inside Ina almost jumped on Jiha spreading her pheromones and making him dizzy.

"I was so scared." Ina was crying why clinging to Jiha.

"Lady Adeline told me that she will give me to Lord Balor and I shall never see you again." Ina was lying but she was doing it so skillfully that Jiha soon was trying to calm her down with his words and with his pheromones.

"He told me to strip and was watching me while I was taking a bath …" Her tears were rolling down her cheek. Jiha was literally fuming with anger, his pheromones started to affect Ina. 

"Jiha please stop, it hurts. " She whispered into his ear. Jiha immediately stopped.

"I'm sorry my poor desert flower." He was patting her head trying to calm down.

"Master, I can work in the garden like I did for the past month and I can sleep with all the other servants. I don't mind, just don't throw me away. Please." Those teary eyes softened Jiha to the point he had to kiss her trembling lips that filled him with determination.