The Best Hero Can Do

Roxie tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“Your family will be wealthy, no worries.” He placed both hands against the glass. “Even I couldn't get the territory leaders to change things. At nineteen, there is no way I could have done anything. Your best bet would have been to be given a dose of something that keeps you a wolf. You'd be kept in zoos. That's how some of the most dangerous projects are kept once attained.”

“I don't understand.” Roxie banged on the glass. “What are you saying? You bought me? My parents would never allow it.”

“They adopted you through unofficial channels. You are no citizen of this state, you have no rights.” Hero rubbed his hand down the glass. “My offer is 500 million or jail time. I know which one they'll pick. Even if they picked jail time, I'd fight in court and win. I'm Hero, the saver of all.”

Roxie covered her mouth. “I don't understand!” She grabbed her head. “Why?! Why couldn't we have worked something out?”