Chapter four “Invited”

With my eyes still lowered, I respond. "Beta

Alarik. "

"There you are. Alpha is at the new building

waiting for you. Come."

"Yes, Beta." I respond robotically and I see Alarik's

shoes as he gets closer to me. He grips my chin roughly and brings my face up. I avert my eyes as

I'm still not supposed to look at him.

"Not going to cause trouble today, are you?" He questions as he holds my chin with such force, I feel tinges of pain where his fingers are.

"No, Beta."

"Good." He releases me and turns and starts to

walk.

I rub my chin to relieve the soreness I'm now experiencing on my face and follow behind Alarik, cursing at him in my mind as we go.

Just breathe.

Nadia's POV

The dread I feel increases the closer I get to the

new building. Not because of what I might be asked

to do, but because I have to face Mike and put on

my "act". As Alarik and I approach the building, I

can't help but think that it looks decent. Mike put

plans forward for this building less than a year ago,

and the fact that it's already completed means

either pack members wanted the new space badly,

or he worked everyone to the bone. It's probably

the latter.

The building is styled similarly to the rest of the

pack houses here at Pure Moon structurally

sound, modern houses with grey stone exteriors

and dark mahogany wooden accents. I let my eyes

trail up as Alarik stops in front of me. This new

housing could fit an entire small pack!

"Looks good doesn't it?" Alarik asks mne and I

return mny eyes to the dirt path, staring at my shoes.

"Yes, it looks wonderful, Beta. The pack did a great

job."

More like busted their asses to please their

overbearing Alpha, but I đigress.

"Mike is waiting for you inside. Let's go."

I nod and follow him inside through the two large

mahogany doors. I take a quick glance around and

notice that where I'm standing is almost like a

reception area in a hotel. There's a reception desk

area in front of Alarik and myself, with many tables

and seated areas around a large lobby. There are

some bookshelves on the far-right side, and a

bar/café on the left through a small alcove. Past the reception desk there are 2 sets of steel elevators that obviously lead to the upper floors.

"Alarik... Nadia." I hear my name from that oh so

familiar voice.

Mike.

I keep my eyes glued to the floor and inhale and

exhale slowly as he approaches.

"Alpha." I state, not glancing towards him or

raising my eyes. He steps closer to me, and I feel

his Alpha power radiating off him. It doesn't affect

me much anymore sinceI don't consider him my

Alpha, but that doesn't mean that he still doesn't

have the power of one.

"What do you think of it Alarik?" Mike asks, his

voice full of pride.

"It's magnificent, Alpha. Anyone who stays here

will be staying in a lap of luxury."

"It's fitting considering in a few months, the Alpha

prince will be visiting."

"It was confirmed?" I can only assume that Mike

nodded, as he didn't reply to Alarik's question

directly.

"Which brings me to you." Mike states coldly, and ]

try not to flinch.

"What do you ask of me Alpha?" I ask, and then

instantly regret it as he grabs my face roughly.

"Did I say you could talk?!" He sneers at me as I

keep my eyes averted from his angry gaze. I shake

my head, and he releases me. I feel anger bubbling

up, but I force it down again. I don't need a beating

today. Mike hasn't changed much from what I

remember, he still looks strikingly like his father.

Chocolate brown hair, striking amber eyes and he's

built like an Alpha should be, large and

intimidating.

"As I was saying, the Alpha prince will be coming

here to negotiate a pack transfer, as well as to see

how Pure Moon is fairing, It's part of his duties

before he is appointed King." Mike continues,Great.

Another Alpha coming, and he's royalty.

"Nadia, you are to get every room in this building setup for visitors. That means making beds, cleaning and whatever else is needed. I have compiled-a list of tasks for you. You have three days to pull it together. Any questions?"

"How many roonms are there?" I ask, unsure if I

really want to know.

"One hundred over ten floors."

"You will also attend to anyone who stays here,

which will include the Alpha prince. A phone has

been programmed for you with each of the phone

numbers from each of the rooms here. You will

have to get comfortable with knowing which room

has which guest."

"Understood, Alpha." I reply, feeling defeated that

I'm pretty much a slave now. Mike wouldn't ever

call me that though. He'd give me some bullshit

title of "Building Assistant" or something to make it

seem like I am somewhat important to those who

visit here. No outside packs are aware of how Mike treats us here, and me especially. He hides it well due to Alarik helping him. Our pack members know, butare forbidden to talk about pack matters to anyone outside the pack. He's kept up a good façade, considering no one has come to investigate any of his methods or have questioned his leadership. The pack is still well off and may look good on paper, but I'm sure something won't go unnoticed by the Alpha prince.

The phone is at the front desk for you, Nadia. Get to

work, you're dismissed."

"Yes, Alpha." I walk over to the reception desk and

grab the phone, and then head to the elevator and

step inside once the doors open. I hit the button for

the first floor, and sigh as the doors close, shielding

me from Mike's disgusted gaze.