7. Employment

Anika / Anya

Another day spent pacing the floor and slowly going insane. It’s been three days since I last saw Bastien or heard anything from him. There’s a guard outside my door who brings me food during the day, even though I was told I’m allowed to walk around.

As I sink onto the floor yet again, I hear the door opening and jump to my feet. It’s my guard.

“The Alpha wants to see you in his office,” he says, then cocks his head for me to follow him.

My heart skips a beat. This is it — another unwanted interaction with the man who claims to own me after three days of silence. I can’t let him see how he’s getting to me.

Taking a deep breath, I force my legs to carry me as I follow the guard to his office, each step echoing down the marble corridors of the penthouse.

As I enter, the office feels like a stronghold within a fortress—dark wood, leather-bound books, and walls adorned with art that probably cost more than a small country. Bastien is seated behind his desk, shrouded in the