Chapter 2: Cracks in the Foundation

The kitchen was already sweltering by the time I arrived at dawn, my eyes gritty from lack of sleep. Alpha Marcus’s threat had kept me awake, replaying endlessly until the first rays of sunlight crept through my window.

“You look like death,” Maya observed, shoving a bowl of potatoes and a peeling knife into my hands. “Rough night?”

My best friend knew about Kaden and me. She was the only one who did. The only person in this entire pack who looked at me and saw something more than a servant.

“Something like that,” I muttered, attacking a potato with more force than necessary.

Maya leaned closer, her voice dropping. “Did you see him again?”

I nodded once, quick and sharp. Not here. Not where the other kitchen omegas could overhear and sell the information for favour. Trust was a luxury I couldn’t afford.

“Aria, you need to be careful.” Maya’s dark eyes were worried. “There are rumours.”

“There are always rumours.”

“Not like these.” She glanced around, making sure we weren’t being watched. “I heard Alpha Marcus talking to Beta James last night. Something about a marriage alliance with the Blackthorn Pack.”

The knife slipped, nearly taking off the tip of my finger.

“The Blackthorns?” My voice came out strangled. “But they’re one of the most powerful packs in the region. Why would they?”

“They have a daughter. Seraphina.” Maya’s expression was grim. “Apparently she’s beautiful, educated, and exactly the kind of political asset a new Alpha needs.”

The potato in my hand blurred. I blinked hard, refusing to let the tears fall.

“Kaden wouldn’t.” But even as I said it, doubt crept in. “He promised me. In three weeks and we’d be together openly. He said”

“I know what he said.” Maya gripped my shoulder. “But you need to prepare yourself, Aria. Just in case. These alliances… they’re not about love. They’re about power.”

Before I could respond, the kitchen door banged open. Head Omega Constance swept in, her sharp gaze immediately finding me.

“Aria. The Alpha wants his breakfast served in the study. Private meeting. You’ll attend.”

My stomach dropped. “Me? But I’m not”

“Did I ask for your opinion?” Constance’s lips thinned. “Apparently someone requested you specifically. Now move.”

Maya shot me a worried look as I set down the knife and wiped my hands on my apron. Someone requested me specifically. That could only mean one person.

But why would Kaden want me serving his father after last night’s threat?

Unless he didn’t know. Unless this was Alpha Marcus’s doing.

The study was on the second floor, in the private wing where servants rarely ventured. My hands trembled as I carried the breakfast tray, the silver rattling slightly against the porcelain.

I could do this. Serve the meal. Keep my head down. Get out.

I knocked twice, soft and deferential.

“Enter.”

Alpha Marcus sat behind his massive oak desk, papers spread before him. But he wasn’t alone. Beta James stood by the window, and in the chair across from the Alpha sat a man I didn’t recognise. Older, distinguished, with cold grey eyes that assessed me like livestock at market.

“Ah. The girl.” Alpha Marcus gestured lazily. “Set it down and pour.”

I moved mechanically, placing plates and cups with practised precision. The strange man watched my every movement. My skin crawled.

“As you can see, Alpha Blackthorn, we run an efficient household.” Alpha Marcus’s voice was smooth, conversational. “Everyone knows their place.”

Alpha Blackthorn. Seraphina’s father.

My hands nearly dropped the coffee pot.

“Indeed.” Alpha Blackthorn’s gaze lingered on me in a way that made me want to shower. “And your son? He understands what’s required of him?”

“Kaden understands duty.” Alpha Marcus leaned back in his chair. “He’ll do what’s necessary for the pack. The ceremony is in three weeks. We’ll announce the engagement immediately after.”

The room tilted.

Three weeks. The same timeline Kaden had given me. But not for us. For her.

“Your daughter,” Alpha Marcus continued, “will make an excellent Luna. The alliance between Shadowpine and Blackthorn will reshape the power structure of the entire region.”

“My Seraphina is perfect for the role.” Alpha Blackthorn’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Beautiful, educated, ruthless when necessary. She’ll keep your son focused on what matters. Power. Legacy. Dominance.”

I finished pouring with shaking hands, desperate to leave.

“That will be all, girl.” Alpha Marcus dismissed me with a wave.

I practically fled, but not before I heard Alpha Blackthorn’s final comment.

“Make sure there are no… distractions. Young Alphas can be foolish about inappropriate attachments. Crush them early.”

The tray clattered as I set it down in the hallway, pressing my back against the wall. My chest was too tight. I couldn’t breathe.

Kaden knew. He had to know.

Unless he didn’t. Unless his father had arranged everything without telling him, planning to present it as a done deal after the ceremony. Once Kaden had the Alpha power, would he be strong enough to refuse? Would he even want to?

“There you are.”

I jumped. Kaden stood at the end of the hallway, still in his training clothes, hair damp with sweat. His face lit up when he saw me, that devastating smile that usually made my knees weak.

Today it just made me want to scream.

“I’ve been looking for you.” He glanced around, then pulled me into an alcove, away from prying eyes. “I have news. Good news.”

“Oh?” My voice sounded distant, cold.

He didn’t notice. “I talked to my father last night. Really talked to him. About us. About making you my Luna.”

Hope and dread warred in my chest. “And?”

“He listened, Aria. Actually listened.” Kaden’s excitement was palpable. “He’s arranging a formal meeting after my ceremony. With the pack elders. To discuss… unconventional Luna candidates.”

Unconventional. The word felt like a slap.

“He said that?” I asked carefully.

“Not in those exact words, but yes. He’s considering it.” Kaden cupped my face, his touch gentle. “I told you. Three weeks and everything changes. You just have to trust me.”

I looked into his amber eyes, searching for any hint of deception. I found none. He believed what he was saying. He genuinely thought his father was going to allow us to be together.

He had no idea about Seraphina Blackthorn. About the alliance already being negotiated. About the engagement that would be announced the moment he took his Alpha oath.

“Aria?” Concern flickered across his features. “What’s wrong? You don’t look happy.”

I had two choices. Tell him what I’d overheard and force him to choose right now, before he has the power to back up that choice. Or wait. Keep quiet. Give him the three weeks he’d asked for and pray that I was wrong. That somehow, this would work out.

That love would be enough.

“I’m happy,” I lied, forcing a smile. “Just tired. Didn’t sleep well.”

He kissed my forehead. “Three weeks, baby. Then you’ll sleep in my bed every night. I promise.”

As he walked away, whistling, completely oblivious to the trap closing around us both, I leaned against the wall and finally let the tears fall.

Three weeks.

It might as well have been three lifetimes.