Under The Wolfe Name

Chapter One: The Bargain

Rain lashed against the windshield as Elara's fingers trembled on the steering wheel. Her heart slammed against her ribcage, the darkness ahead both terrifying and freeing. She didn't know where she was going, only that it had to be anywhere but there.

Headlights flashed in the rearview mirror. She panicked.

No. Not now. Not when she was this close.

The tires skidded briefly on the wet road as she turned off the main street into a narrow path she barely recognized from memory. Her thoughts were racing, outpacing even the storm.

You have to run. You have to leave.

She tightened her grip. Gerald would be furious when he found out. And Adrian Wolfe? She didn't even want to think about him yet.

Elara had never felt truly free. Not in Gerald's estate where the walls felt more like polished cages than shelter. Not in that house where smiles were staged and affection was a tool. Not once in eighteen years since her mum had remarried had she been asked what she wanted.

The flash of blue and red in the distance made her pulse stutter.

Were they looking for her already?

Suddenly, the road ahead blurred and the world spun.

---

Twelve Hours Earlier

She sat rigid at the edge of the dining table. Her dress bunched under her fists, the fabric wrinkled and damp from her palms. Across the room, a grand family portrait loomed on the wall framed in gold. Katherine's sharp beauty, Gerald's smug smirk, Phoebe and Chloe her step sister's bright eyes all pretending to be a family.

She wasn't in it.

She never had been.

Her eyes fell to her lap.

"You're marrying him," Gerald said.

The words were tossed like an order, not a revelation. Elara blinked.

"What?"

"You heard me," Gerald snapped. He paced behind Katherine, who remained seated, sipping wine with lazy indifference. "You're marrying Adrian Wolfe. The ceremony is in two days. It's going to be a simple wedding, just for both families."

A chill spread through her chest.

"You're joking."

Katherine let out a dry laugh. "No one's joking, darling. It's all very formal. He gets what he needs -a bride. And we get what we need. Investment, stability... survival."

Just think of it as a business transaction.

"I'm not a pawn," Elara shouted.

Gerald whirled on her. "Don't be naïve. This is the real world, Elara. Sacrifices must be made."

Tears pressed behind her eyes, but she held them back. "Why me?"

"Because he specifically chose you."

That shut her up. Her stomach turned.

"What?"

Gerald crossed his arms. I offered options. He wanted you. Said something about your 'quiet demeanor' fitting his preferences.

Elara felt like she might be sick.

"He's never even spoken to me."

"You saw him at that gala once, remember?" Katherine chimed in. Apparently that was enough.Katherine gave off one of her signature chuckles. "And besides, you should be grateful he offered. You get to be the wife of such a great man.. honestly, I don't see what he finds in someone like you."

"This is insane." Elara stood, her voice trembling. "You can't just trade me off as though I am some kind of-"

"It's not a trade. It's a solution." Gerald cut her off .His tone was final. "You're lucky. Do you know how many girls would kill to be in your shoes?"

Her voice cracked. What about my life? My studies?

"Your studies?" Katherine scoffed. Be serious, Elara. No one cares about your little acting dream and besides It's securing your future. And ours. Don't be dramatic. It's how businesses work.

Gerald slammed his palm against the table. "It's done. We're out of options. We need Wolfe's money to save the company."

Then find someone else!" Elera couldn't help yelling. "Someone else, anyone else.. just not me!"

"There is no one else," he retorted coldly. "Your sisters are too young, too unruly. And your mother... well, she's not exactly bridal material."

Katherine gave a light laugh, unbothered.

"So sell something else!" she shouted. "Sell the damn company!"

"There's nothing else to sell",Gerald said.