Sienna sat behind her mahogany desk, her face a mask of cold indifference. A piece of medical tape still clung to the back of her hand—a mocking reminder of the hospital visit she'd just endured. Beneath her ribs, the Mate Bond throbbed with a dull, sickening ache. It was the physical manifestation of a soul being shredded, a silent scream she was forced to swallow.
Three she-wolves stood before her, each vying for the position of Chief Secretary. Their bloodlines were prestigious, their resumes flawless.
"Your lineages are impressive," Sienna said, her voice steady despite the searing pain in her chest. She looked them directly in the eyes. "But this position is the heartbeat of the Silvermoon Pack. I have a few mandatory questions. Do you have a fated mate? How many previous Alphas have you served? And is your private life… complicated?"
Candidate A's face flushed with indignation. "I refuse to answer such invasive questions!"
Candidate B didn't hide her sneer. "Is this a job interview, or are you scouting for someone to warm the Alpha's bed as his new plaything?"
Sienna's gaze remained icy. "The position next to the Lycan King is vital. If you cannot separate your private heat cycles from the safety of this territory, you are unfit. None of you are suitable. Leave."
The candidates stormed out, their high-born pride wounded, hurling insults about "broken Omegas" as the door slammed shut.
Sienna rubbed her temples, exhaustion threatening to pull her under. She picked up the final resume. Victoria.
The door opened, and a woman stepped in. She exuded a cloying, artificial scent of high-ranking pheromones, but beneath the perfume lay naked ambition. As Sienna looked at Victoria's vibrant, beautiful face, her heart plummeted.
If Silas sees her... he'll like her, Sienna thought. She is exactly the kind of spirited wolf he favors.
"Do you have a mate—" Sienna began, but the sharp ring of the private line cut her off.
Silas's voice came through, cold and absolute. "Stop the interview. Bring her to my office immediately."
Sienna's knuckles turned white as she gripped the receiver. "Yes, Alpha."
She stood up, masking her sorrow with a polished professional facade. "Victoria, congratulations. You've been hired. Follow me."
The heavy oak doors creaked open to reveal Silas sitting behind his desk. His golden-brown eyes, filled with a wild, predatory power, created a suffocating pressure in the room.
Sienna stood weakly to the side as Victoria approached the King with practiced shyness. Silas's gaze swept over Sienna's pale, exhausted face, and a cruel, satisfied smile curled his lips. Then, he turned to Victoria, his voice softening into a tone of tenderness Sienna had never once received.
"Victoria, is it? Report to the core territory at 8:00 AM tomorrow. Sienna will personally show you the ropes."
Victoria flushed a deep crimson. "Thank you, Alpha."
Watching Victoria leave in triumph, Sienna's fingers shook. So, she realized, the brutal Lycan King isn't incapable of tenderness. He just believes a lowly Omega like me never deserved it.
Once they were alone, Sienna forced herself to meet his gaze. "Alpha, you promised. Once I found a replacement, you would let me leave."
Silas leaned back, a flash of irritation crossing his eyes before it was replaced by malice. "Train this new wolf well, then you can crawl out of Silvermoon. I'm quite satisfied with this new prey. Once the handover is complete, I'll grant you a generous severance for your exile."
"Understood, My Alpha."
Sienna retreated with heavy steps. As she closed the door, she felt the last threads of her five-year dream snap. Five years, she thought. It's finally time to let go.