Mission on motion

Chapter 4

~Selena~•

I woke up to sunlight streaming through my window and immediately reached for my phone.

11:07 AM.

My heart stopped.

“No, no, no!” I shot out of bed so fast I almost fell. The Alpha had told me to resume at 9 AM. I was over two hours late on my very first day!

I threw on my clothes as quickly as I could, not even bothering to check if they matched properly. My hair was a mess, but I didn’t have time to fix it. I just ran a brush through it a few times and bolted out of my room.

I was halfway down the corridor when I nearly collided with someone.

“Whoa, easy there.”

I looked up to find a tall man with black short hair and kind eyes watching me with amusement. He wore the official pack beta insignia on his jacket.

“Rowan,” I breathed, recognizing him as Alpha Lucien’s beta. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“The Alpha is calling for you,” he said, his expression becoming more serious. “He wants to see you in his office. Now.”

My stomach dropped. This was it. I was going to get fired before I even started. Or worse maybe he’d punish me for disrespecting him by being late.

“Of course,” I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll go right now.”

Rowan nodded and walked away, leaving me to face my fate alone.

My legs felt like jelly as I made my way to the Alpha’s office. I knocked softly on the heavy wooden door.

“Enter.”

His voice sent a shiver down my spine. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Alpha Lucien sat behind a massive desk, papers spread out before him. He looked up as I entered, his expression unreadable.

“Close the door,” he said quietly.

I did as he asked, my hands trembling slightly. Being alone with him in his office felt intimate somehow, dangerous.

“You’re late,” he stated, setting down the document he’d been reading.

“I know, Alpha Lucien. I’m so sorry. I….”

He stood up suddenly, and I stopped talking. He walked around his desk slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. With each step he took toward me, my heart beat faster.

Then he kept walking until I had to back up. My spine hit the wall behind me.

Kyra! My wolf practically howled with excitement inside me. He likes us! I told you he has a soft spot for us!

But I wasn’t so sure. My mind was screaming that he was about to punish me, maybe even hurt me. Alpha Lucien was inches away now, so close I could smell his scent.

“Why were you late?” His voice was low, almost a growl.

“I… I slept through my alarm,” I admitted, my voice shaking. “I’m truly sorry, Alpha. It won’t happen again.”

His eyes bore into mine for a long moment. Then, just as suddenly as he’d approached, he stepped back.

“See that it doesn’t,” he said firmly. “I don’t tolerate laziness or disrespect.”

“Yes, Alpha Lucien. I understand.”

He moved back to his desk, but instead of sitting down, he leaned against it, studying me. “Starting today, you’ll work directly beside me. I need a fresh perspective on pack affairs, someone who sees things differently than my usual advisors.”

I blinked in surprise. “Beside you? You mean… in your office?”

“Yes. Is that a problem?”

“No! No, not at all, Alpha. I’m honored.” And I was. This was even better than I’d hoped. Working directly with him meant more time together, more chances to make my plan work.

“Good.” He walked to the door and opened it, calling out, “Rowan!”

His beta appeared almost instantly. “Yes, Alpha?”

“Pass the information through the pack. Selena will be working directly with me on pack affairs. No one is to question her presence or authority when she’s acting on my behalf.”

Rowan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he quickly masked it. “Of course, Alpha. I’ll spread the word immediately.”

After Rowan left, Alpha Lucien dismissed me with a wave of his hand. “Go settle in. We’ll begin tomorrow morning. On time.”

“Yes, Alpha. Thank you.”

I practically skipped out of his office, my earlier fear completely forgotten. I was working directly with the Alpha! This was perfect!

As I walked through the corridors, I passed two maids who were deep in conversation. They didn’t see me approaching.

“Did you hear? That new girl, the one Damon rejected….”

“Selena? Yes! She’s already working beside the Alpha. It’s shameless if you ask me.”

“She’s trying to bewitch him, mark my words. Using some kind of spell to make him favor her.”

I couldn’t help it but I giggled. Let them think what they wanted. Their gossip didn’t matter.

-----

I decided to go home and share the news with my family. I burst through the front door with a huge smile on my face.

“Mom! Dad!”

They appeared from the kitchen, looking surprised to see me.

“Selena! What are you doing home?” Mom asked. “I thought you were at the mansion.”

I know immediately Evan had betrayed me but I’m too happy to react.

“I am! I mean, I will be. But I had to tell you…the Alpha himself has assigned me to work directly beside him! On pack affairs!” I couldn’t contain my excitement. “One of your daughters is working in the big mansion now, right alongside the Alpha!”

Dad’s face lit up with pride. “That’s wonderful, sweetheart! We’re so proud of you.”

Mom pulled me into a tight hug. “Our daughter, working with the Alpha. This is a great honor.”

“What’s all the noise about?”

I turned to see Serena descending the stairs, her expression sour. Of course she’d overheard.

“Selena is working directly with Alpha Lucien,” Mom told her, still beaming.

Serena’s face twisted with barely concealed jealousy. “Working with the Alpha? Please. She’ll get tired and give up within a week. She’s never been good at sticking with anything.”

Something inside me snapped.

“At least I’m not a whore,” I said sweetly.

The room went completely silent.

“Selena!” Mom gasped. “What has gotten into you? You don’t use that kind of language!”

Dad looked shocked. “Apologize to your sister right now.”

“Why should I?” I turned my gaze to Serena, who had gone pale. “She is a whore. She’ll continue being one, disgracing this family every chance she gets.”

“What happened between you two?” Mom demanded, looking between us. “This isn’t like you, Selena.”

“Ask her,” I said, pointing at Serena. “Ask your perfect daughter what she did.”

Serena’s eyes flashed with anger, but I could see the fear underneath. Good. She should be scared.

“Now that you’re working for the Alpha,” Serena said, her voice shaking slightly, “what does that make you?.”

“It make me someone with integrity, giving order that you dare not to follow.”