CHAPTER 3

ELIZA'S POV

Three days after Lucas abandoned my son and me for his new lover, I found myself out on the streets of Moon Raven pack, looking for a job to earn a living.

But everywhere I went, no one was willing to hire a nursing mother.

I kept meeting a dead end and it weakened my spirit.

As an orphan omega with no family to run to for help, I've been battling with depression, asking the Goddess why she didn't take me away when my parents died.

At least it'd be better than this suffering, and my little one won't have to suffer this horrible fate.

The one who came through in my time of need was Tina. She's been trying her best to support me and my son with the little she had.

She's like the sister I never had.

"Don't worry, my son. Mommy will buy you new clothes very soon," I smiled at my little one as I walked through the streets, heading home after another failed search.

I was hungry and made a stop at a store to use the last money in my hand to get something to eat so I'll be able to breastfeed my son later. That's when I heard two ladies behind me, gossiping about my failed relationship with Lucas.

"So it's true. He finally dumped her for a much better lady."

"I heard the lady is from a very powerful family. Maybe a Royal bloodline."

"Wow! Lucas is so lucky."

"Yes. It's better than spending his entire life with filth."

They laughed out loud, making my heart ache.

I pretended not to hear them and left with the snack I bought, munching down on it with heaviness in my chest.

I still couldn't get over the betrayal. And the only way out is to start my life afresh by getting myself a job.

My prayers were answered when I came home and met Tina waiting for me. She looked super excited and quickly pulled me inside, telling me good news.

"Eliza, you're in luck. I found you a job!" She shared, making me gasp out with joy.

"Thank you so much, Tina!" I hugged her tight, celebrating.

But I became worried and reminded her of my son, hoping I won't be sent away for being a nursing mother.

That question made Tina smirk as she said, "Well, you're in luck because this job is coming from the Alpha himself."

"Alpha Byron?" I shivered, feeling nervous.

The Alpha of our pack, Moon Raven. A very cold and emotionless wolf.

His presence and figure make everyone tremble with fear. It's like standing before a god who can take your life within a blink of an eye.

"That same Alpha Byron?" I gulped, shaking.

Tina noticed my fear and assured me that the job takes nursing mothers.

Well, that calmed my worry a little. But working for the Alpha feels scary.

Feeling calm, I curiously asked what the job was. Only for my face to turn sour when Tina said, "You're going to be a wet-nurse."

"What?" I froze, placing a hand over my chest, touching my breast!

"A wet-nurse? You mean I'll be feeding another child my milk?" I spoke with discomfort, clenching to my shirt.

Tina sighed at my tremble and said, holding my hands, "Eliza, this is the only option left. The Alpha just needs a wet-nurse who'll feed a child and... Look, the pay is huge! You'll earn more than a thousand dollars in a day! Think about it."

I gulped on hearing that amount. I have never held such in my hands before, and that money will go a long way for me and my son.

Tina begged me to take the job, using my son's health as a trigger to get me to accept.

"It's just feeding another baby. And the best part is that you'll be fed well so you can breastfeed. Don't miss this opportunity, Eliza. Other nursing mothers are hurrying to the palace to get the job," she pestered, pleading with me.

Looking at the condition of my home, I gave in to Tina's words, and accepted.

Pleased, she made me dress up quickly because others were already going to the palace to secure a spot.

She didn't want me missing this opportunity.

"Don't worry about your son. I'll watch over him. Just go," She said, pushing me out the door.

I felt nervous but dragged my legs to the palace, just in time to see other women stepping through the palace gate, gossiping about the Alpha's demand.

"When did the palace get a baby?"

"I don't know and don't care. I'm only here for the money."

I listened to the gossip, having the same question in mind.

When did the palace get a baby?

Alpha Byron doesn't have a mate. In fact, no one knows if he plans on finding himself a Luna. He's always behind his palace walls, hardly stepping out to show his face to the people.

"Maybe he has a secret child?" I wondered to myself, walking past the ladies.

I was shaking when I got close to the palace door, because I didn't want to run into Lucas now that he's the Royal head guard.

If he sees me here, he won't hesitate to embarrass me in front of everyone and ruin my chance of getting this job.

But luckily for me, I didn't see him.

I felt relieved.

I stepped inside and was directed to where thirty other mothers who came for this job, stood with confidence, talking.

As soon as our number reached fifty, the palace door was shut.

No one else was allowed inside.

A lady —the head maid of the palace— walked up to us with a cold expression and said, as ten maids holding an object in their hand, stood behind her, "Thank you for honoring this invite. As ordered by the Alpha..."

She snapped her finger and the maids spread out, handing out small containers along with a breast pump to everyone.

"You're to pour your milk samples into your cup for our test. Once you're done, kindly indicate your name on the label and also in the note over there," The head maid said, pointing over at a table which a guard brought over, settling it in the center of the room.

The guard placed a book on the table. The very one the head maid talked about.

We're to register our name and address in it once we're done.

That's how they'll reach out to the one whose milk is fit for the secret baby.

The head maid soon said, glancing at everyone's faces, "Please, begin. We don't have much time on our side."

"Thank you," All nursing mothers thanked the maid with smiles, before popping out their boobs with no shame or embarrassment.

Among the fifty of us, only sixteen of us felt uncomfortable and didn't pull out our breast to start pumping our milk.

There were guards watching and staring at us.

I felt so disturbed and decided to find a hidden spot to press my milk out. Not just because of the guards watching, but because I have never used a breast pump before, and I was ashamed.

While others were boldly dangling their cherries with no shame, I secretly snuck into the passage behind and found myself in a silent room, five doors away from the gathering.

It looked like a study room, and the best place for me to focus without feeling weird.

"They want samples first. I hope I can produce enough milk for the baby," I sighed hopelessly, loosening the ties of my dress, so I can easily let my breast out.

I didn't eat properly before coming. Only the goddess knows the amount I'll produce for the child.

"Oh heaven, even if I don't get accepted, at least let me make some money from this sample," I prayed, holding the cup up to my right breast, ready to press.

Just then, the door to the room swung open, causing fear to immediately wash over me!

I had no time to pull my dress up and cover my chest when I heard a deep cold icy tone from behind, speaking, "Who are you?"

Terrified by that tone, I turned around with my chest wide open and froze on the spot when I saw who it was.

"Al—Alpha," I choked, recognizing that cold face everyone feared!

Alpha Byron!

Oh Goddess, he's here!