Chapter 3

I immediately lowered my head in submission. Avoiding his gaze, I answered softly, "I just went to the payroll office to pick up my pay, so it took a little longer."

The room was so quiet I could hear the logs crackling in the fireplace.

Cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

Just when I thought he was going to expose my lie and explode in anger, he suddenly let out a light laugh.

"Money. You earned it."

That oppressive feeling suddenly lifted, as if it had never been there.

That actually made me even more terrified.

"Come here."

He leaned back against the sofa with his long legs crossed. He tilted his chin up at me slightly.

I didn't dare move.

"Come here. Pour me a drink and sit with me for a while."

I slowly stood up, walked over to the bar, and poured him a glass of whiskey. Then I carefully handed it to him.

He leaned back lazily. There was a hint of exhaustion in his dark eyes.

I stood obediently to the side.

He always said he liked it when I was quiet. It made me look sweet and obedient.

The next second, his large, scalding hand landed on the back of my neck.

The burning heat of his palm slowly seeped into my skin, carrying his crisp, woody Alpha scent.

I tensed my whole body, deliberately keeping my breathing light and slow.

He gently rubbed the back of my neck. His touch was terrifyingly gentle.

"Alpha..." I stiffly tried to stand up, but he held me firmly in place.

"Did someone give you trouble today?"

My heart skipped a beat. "Just a few new Omega maids asking casual questions."

He stared at me for a few seconds. Then he reached out and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"Are they jealous of you?"

My throat tightened. "I don't know."

"You're lying."

He chuckled, but I couldn't sense any joy or anger in his tone.

"It's not surprising. Who in this entire pack isn't jealous of you?"

"You stay in the master bedroom every day, wear the things I give you, and stay by my side."

"How many she-wolves in this pack would beg for this honor and never get it?"

I lowered my eyes, not daring to reply.

He looked at me for a long time before suddenly letting go.

He picked up his whiskey and downed it in one gulp. His Adam's apple bobbed. He looked incredibly sexy.

"I need to head south tomorrow for business."

"A Rogue gang is causing trouble at the border," he said lightly. "I'll be back in two days."

My heart pounded wildly.

Two days!

If Ruby really went to beg the Elder Luna, these two days would be my only chance.

As long as he wasn't in pack territory, and as long as I had the release papers, no one could stop me.

I didn't dare let my wild joy show. I just bowed my head lower.

Xavier's hand returned to the back of my neck. He patted it gently. "While I'm gone, you must think of me every single second."

I forced a smile. "I'll wait patiently for your return, Alpha."

He seemed satisfied with my obedience. He lowered his head and left a light kiss on my forehead. "Good girl."

The next day, Xavier left the estate early.

Around noon, the head maid came running over. She looked anxious.

"That new maid, Ruby, actually went and begged the Elder Luna."

"She said you get fifty thousand dollars for light work, and she wants to take over. She said twenty thousand is enough for her."

"She also said she's a hard worker with an obedient personality. She promised she'd please the Alpha far more than you do."

My hand, hidden in my pocket, trembled slightly. "What did the Elder Luna say?"

The head maid looked at me and sighed.

"Of course, she didn't agree at first."

"But that fool kept accusing you of being ungrateful. She claimed you were throwing your weight around the pack just because of the Alpha's favor."

"Worse, a few maids who are jealous of you were there adding fuel to the fire. They said they'd all vouch for Ruby."

"The Elder Luna asked a few questions. Seeing her so determined, she actually approved the request."

"Honestly, a few of us older staff members helped persuade her too. We all know that if you stay with that madman, you'll be tortured to death sooner or later."

"Now that someone is willing to take over, it might be a good thing."