THE ALPHA PRINCE'S ASSISTANT

(Kael's POV)

My stomach churned. Assistant to Prince Alaric? Me? It felt like a cruel joke the Moon Goddess

was playing on me, one moment granting my birthday wish, the next threatening to expose my

deepest secret. How am I even going to pull this off?

I knew what Alaric’s former assistant, Theron, must be feeling. Theron was an alpha, the perfect

fit for the role. He was built like a fortress, with a booming voice and eyes that could intimidate

even the most seasoned courtier. Me? I was…me. Small, unassuming, and desperately trying to

blend into the background as a Beta.

My first day started before dawn. I barely slept, replaying the scene in the hallway over and

over. Theron on top of me, his fist raised...and the Prince, his voice cutting through the air, a

thunderclap that silenced everything.

"Kael. You will be my new personal assistant."

The words still echoed in my ears.

My mother, fussed over me, her frail hands smoothing down the worn fabric of my tunic. "Are

you sure you can do this, Kael?" Her eyes were filled with worry. "This is a very important

position."

"I have to, Mama," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "The Prince chose me. I

can't refuse."

“Prince Isn't the kind to behead you for politely refusing his request. You should have refused.”

My mother pressed on. I understand why she's worried, I am too, but his eyes hypnotized me

and I couldn't refuse his charming request.

“Exactly why I accepted, he isn't the kind to behead. He doesn't bite and definitely won't kill me if

I made a mistake or mismanaged his orders. I will be fine.”

She sighed, a sound heavy with unspoken fears. "Just...be careful, Kael. Very careful." I hugged

my mom, reassuring her that I'd be okay.

—

The path to the Prince's wing of the palace felt miles longer than usual. Every step was a

torment. My heart was pounding so hard, I wondered if anyone could hear it. The opulent

decorations, usually a source of quiet admiration, now felt like judging eyes, scrutinizing my

every move.

I reached the Prince's antechamber, my hand shaking as I knocked on the heavy oak door.

"Enter," a deep voice resonated from within, sending shivers down my spine.

I pushed the door open, stepping into a room that reeked of power and subtle Alpha musk. It

was immaculate, everything perfectly in its place. And there he was, Prince Alaric, standing by

the window, the morning light illuminating his chiseled features. He was even more breathtaking

up close.

"Kael," he said, turning towards me, his blue eyes piercing. "You're prompt. Good."

"Good morning, Your Highness," I managed to squeak out, bowing my head.

"Look at me, Kael," he commanded, his voice firm.

I hesitated, then raised my gaze, meeting his intense stare. It felt like he was looking straight

through me, seeing past my carefully constructed facade.

"This is not a charitable act, Kael," he continued, his voice losing some of its rigidity. "I chose

you because I was disgusted by Theron's behavior. I expect loyalty, efficiency, and discretion.

Can you provide that?"

"Yes, Your Highness," I answered immediately. "You can count on me."

"Good," he repeated, a hint of something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "Your first task is to

organize my correspondence. It's...extensive." He gestured towards a mountain of scrolls and

letters piled on a large mahogany desk.

I swallowed hard. Organizing correspondence was hardly what I had in mind for my first day, but

it was a task, and I would do it to the best of my ability.

The morning passed in a blur of sorting, reading, and categorizing. Alaric worked in the study,

occasionally summoning me to ask a question or retrieve a document. Each interaction sent a

jolt of electricity through me. His presence was overwhelming, his scent intoxicating.

Around midday, a servant brought in lunch. I set the tray on a small table near the window and

waited for the Prince to dismiss me.

"You may eat as well, Kael," he said, without looking up from his work.

I blinked in surprise. "Are you sure, Your Highness?"

He finally looked at me, his brow furrowed. "Are you questioning my order?"

"No, Your Highness," I stammered. "Of course not."

I sat down hesitantly, picking at the food. Eating with the Prince felt surreal, like a scene from a

dream. I was acutely aware of every movement, every breath.

"Tell me about yourself, Kael," he said suddenly, breaking the silence.

My heart leaped into my throat. This was it. This was the moment my carefully crafted lie would

crumble.

"There's not much to tell, Your Highness," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm just a

servant."

"Everyone has a story, Kael," he countered, his eyes fixed on me. "What's yours?"

I hesitated, searching for a safe answer. "I grew up in the lower quarters, Your Highness. My

mother actively worked in the palace before she fell ill, she now tends to the garden."

"What did she do?" he pressed.

My mind raced. "She was a...a seamstress, Your Highness."

He seemed to consider my answer for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Interesting."

The rest of the lunch passed in tense silence. I felt like I had dodged a bullet, but I knew the

interrogation was far from over.

Later that afternoon, as I was filing away the last of the correspondence, Prince Casian, his

younger brother, sauntered into the antechamber. He is the Luna’s son too, just like Alaric but

he's already mated, a stark contrast to Alaric’s unmated status. His presence always felt like a

subtle challenge.

"Brother," Casian greeted, his voice dripping with false pleasantry. "I came to see how your

new…acquisition is working out." He looked me up and down with a dismissive sneer. "Rather

small for an assistant, wouldn’t you say, Alaric?"

Alaric’s jaw tightened. “Kael is proving to be quite efficient, Casian. Unlike some, he seems to

understand the value of hard work." His tone was laced with a sharp edge that made Casian’s

smile falter.

Casian turned his attention back to me, his eyes narrowing. "So, little Beta," he drawled. "Tell

me, how did you manage to snag this coveted position? Did you perhaps…offer the Prince

something more than just your filing skills?"

My cheeks burned with humiliation. I wanted to disappear, to melt into the floor and be

swallowed whole.

Before I could stammer out a response, Alaric stepped forward, placing himself between me

and Casian. "That's enough, Casian," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Kael is under my

protection. I suggest you remember that."

Casian’s face flushed with anger. “Always so protective, brother. It almost makes one wonder

what you’re hiding.” He shot Alaric a knowing look, then turned and stalked out of the room,

muttering under his breath.

Once Casian was gone, a heavy silence settled over the antechamber. I kept my head down,

afraid to meet Alaric's gaze.

"Are you alright, Kael?" he asked, his voice softer now.

"Yes, Your Highness," I mumbled, still trembling. "Thank you."

He stepped closer, his hand hovering near my arm. For a moment, I thought he was going to

touch me, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Don't let Casian's words bother you," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "He enjoys stirring

trouble. Just focus on your work, and you'll be fine."

"Yes, Your Highness," I repeated, my voice barely a whisper.

As the day drew to a close, I felt a strange mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration. I had survived

my first day as Prince Alaric's assistant, but I knew the challenges were just beginning. I was

playing a dangerous game, walking a tightrope between my hidden identity and my stupid

feelings for the Alpha Prince. One wrong step, and everything would come crashing down. I

went back to my room that night, wishing that I could just disappear