The Alpha's Bondage

Old Deals

♚Archer♚

Seraphina had been a no-show. However, my trip to Ironshade hadn’t been a total waste. I had bought Harley a phone. And I smiled when I got another message from her. This time, it was a photo of her progress on the puzzle. I made a note to get her another one as well as some cheesy burgers. I turned my attention back to the ledger, but my mind was on Harley. When my phone rang, I didn’t even look to see who it was.

“Archer?”

“Seraphina?”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t meet you yesterday. Something came up and…well, I couldn’t take the chance. But I’m available now if you are,” she hurriedly explained. I considered hanging up, but I was far too curious.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” I told her before I hung up. I pocketed my phone and glanced around the desk to make sure everything was in place before I left. The drive wasn’t all that long, and by the time I got to the meeting spot, I saw Seraphina leaning against the side of the building while she fiddled with her phone.

“You should just kill her,” Ragnar remarked. He was bored, hungry, and he never did like Seraphina. “She is just a waste of time. And we don’t need her anymore,” I ignored him as I climbed out of the car. Seraphine looked up, and when she saw me, she hurriedly put her phone away.

“I’m sorry,” she said, and I nodded.

“What do you want, Seraphina?” I asked.

“I have an offer for you,” she started. I inclined my head for her to continue. “I have additional information on Malrik…but it will cost you,” I stared at her for a long moment. “Malrik Draegor,”

“I’m sorry, should I know who that is?” I asked curiously. Seraphina chuckled as she shook her head.

“Harley’s attacker,”

“Oh, right…and how much is it going to cost me?” I asked. Seraphina muttered a number that made me flinch. “No,”

“Ok, well…you know that he attacked her, right?” I nodded. “But you don’t know the details,”

“And I should care because?” I asked. I didn’t want her to know how important Harley was to me. The truth was that I had forgotten about Malrik. I wanted the information. But I wasn’t prepared to pay that much for it.

“You should care because…” her voice trailed off, and I sighed softly.

“Look. I already have everything I need. I don’t need anything more,” I said as casually as I could. I did keep an eye on her, and I could see her confidence slipping.

“I need the money, Archer,” she finally said, and I frowned. “I don’t…you are my only client and…I know you can afford it,”

“Yes, but it isn’t worth it,” I said. It was a total lie. But she didn’t know that.

“I went through a lot to get this information, Archer,” she said as she tried a different approach. “And besides, we have a good thing going…I don’t…I don’t want to threaten you, Archer, but…I will betray you,”

“Oh?” I was still trying to act as casual and indifferent as possible. “And how will you betray me?”

“I will tell your pack about your consorts,” she whispered, and I took a step back from her.

“Let me eat her,” Ragnar growled, and I chuckled. Her eyes went wide, and I sighed softly.

“Fine. You have your price. Now give me the information,” I said. Seraphina watched me closely for a full minute before she opened her bag and handed me a single piece of paper that had been folded in half. I growled in frustration as I tore the paper from her fingers. “This had better be worth it,” I warned.

“Trust me, it is,” she said. “I expect payment immediately,” she added.

“As soon as I get back to the pack,”

“Thank you,” she said before she hurried off. I groaned as I unfolded the paper.

Subject: Harley Quinn

Incident: Abduction by rogue Malrik

The victim was kidnapped by Malrik, a rogue wolf.

She was drugged upon capture.

The subject was physically assaulted repeatedly.

Attacks were carried out under the belief she possessed information he wanted.

Malrik’s motivation: revenge against his former pack, Bloodfang Pack.

The cycle of abuse continued for approximately six months.

Pattern: victim was beaten, allowed to heal, then beaten again.

Final act: the victim was abandoned and left for dead.

The victim was discovered after a neighbor reported hearing cries for help.

Upon discovery, the subject was barely able to move and appeared severely malnourished.

Emergency services were called; an ambulance transported her to the nearest hospital.

Status: subject survived.

Officer’s Notes:

The victim presented with significant physical trauma, including multiple fractures in various stages of healing, extensive bruising, and signs of repeated restraint. She was disoriented and highly distressed, exhibiting erratic behavior and periods of incoherence. Mental state at time of recovery suggested deep trauma and instability. She alternated between long silences and sudden outbursts, at times appearing paranoid or distrustful of responders. Hospital staff noted that she resisted examination and needed repeated reassurance before accepting treatment. Despite her condition, she displayed a strong survival instinct, which is likely what kept her alive for the duration of her captivity.

It should be noted that the medical evaluation confirmed there were no signs of s****l assault. Trauma was physical and psychological in nature.

Recommend close psychiatric follow-up, as well as protective watch, given the severity of her trauma and potential ongoing threat from Malrik or his associates.

I read and re-read the information. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around it, but now I understood why Harley wanted revenge. I didn’t blame her. In fact, if she didn’t kill him, I would. I shoved the paper into my pocket and hurried back to my car. Seraphina may not realize it, but she just helped me. Malrik’s abuse and torture damaged Harley. And that made me believe that was why she hadn’t recognized me as her mate yet. It didn’t bother me, especially now that I understood the full extent of her attack. Only, it was just a piece of paper. I couldn’t imagine living like that for as long as she did. I wanted to hear the story from her, but I knew that would take time. And trust. Once I was back at the pack, I shoved the piece of paper in the bottom of my drawer. No one needed to know about that.

“Hey,” I looked up to see Marcus leaning against the doorframe. “You went out?”

“I had business in Ironshade,” I said, distractedly.

“Oh?”

“Um…yeah,” I logged into my personal bank account and transferred the funds to Seraphina. Marcus lingered, and once again, I considered telling him the truth. But as always, fear stopped me.

♚♚