First Day In The Alpha House

Chapter 3: First Day in the Alpha House

Camille’s POV

The donkey moved slowly along the dusty road. Each step sounded louder than my heartbeat.

I kept my eyes down and held the rough wood at my sides. The wind brushed against my face, carrying his scent to me.

Théo.

He's strong, powerful and  Overpowering.

My wolf shifted uneasily inside me. Not in fear. Not exactly. Just… unsure.

I had never been this close to an Alpha son for so long.

The house appeared ahead.

It rose from the earth like it owned the sky. Tall stone walls. Wide windows. A heavy iron gate.

It did not look like a home.

It looked like power.

My throat tightened.

I did not belong here.

Théo stepped down first when we stopped. His movements were smooth, confident. He did not look back to see if I followed.

I climbed down carefully. My shoes touched the ground of his territory.

His territory.

The front doors opened before we reached them.

They were waiting.

His father stood at the center of the entrance hall. Tall. Broad. His presence filled the space. Beside him stood his mate, calm but distant. A woman with sharp eyes.

And next to them...

His sister.

Her arms were folded. Her expression unreadable.

I lowered my gaze immediately and bowed.

“Good morning, sir. Ma’am.”

Silence answered me.

I could feel their eyes on my head, my shoulders, my dress.

“So,” his father said at last. “This is the one?”

“Yes,” Théo replied.

He did not look at me.

His mother studied me slowly. “She looks… fragile.”

My fingers pressed together.

“She will do her job, she will do whatever you want her to do"Théo said flatly.

Job... serve 

The word settled heavily in my chest.

His sister stepped forward first.

“I’ll show her the room.”

Her tone was polite.

But cold.

I followed her down a long hallway. The house was quiet, almost too quiet. My footsteps felt small against the polished floor.

She did not slow down for me.

“This house has rules,” she said without looking back. “You will need to  learn them.

“Yes.”

“You will speak when spoken to, you have to know you are just a maid here, you are not special to my brother or to anyone, okay?"

“I understand.”

She stopped in front of a door and opened it.

The room was simple. A bed. A wooden table. A small window.

“This is yours.”

I nodded.

“Do not mistake kindness for weakness,” she added softly. “My brother does not tolerate foolishness.”

Before I could answer, a voice echoed through the hallway.

“Camille.”

My breath caught.

She looked at me once, then stepped aside.

“Go.”

My legs felt heavy as I walked back down the hall. Every step toward his voice made my chest tighter.

His door was half open.

I knocked softly.

“Enter.”

I stepped inside.

The door closed behind me.

He stood near the window. Light outlined his figure. His back was straight. Controlled.

“You understand why you are here?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

He turned to face me.

His eyes were unreadable.

“I need a mate.”

The words came without softness.

My heartbeat quickened.

“For one year,” he continued. “You will act as my mate. In public. In the pack. You will follow my instructions. After one year, it ends.”

The room felt smaller.

“You called me a maid,” I said quietly.

“In this house, you are just a maid" he replied. “In the pack, you will be Luna.”

The difference felt sharp.

“And if I refuse?” My voice trembled despite myself.

He smile wickedly, "Yoi don't worth refusing"

Not threatening.

Not loud.

Just certain.

I stared at the floor.

One year.

To stand beside him.

To pretend.

To belong somewhere I did not belong.

“I accept,” I said.

Silence followed.

He studied me for a long moment.

“This is not affection,” he said finally. “Do not misunderstand.”

“I won’t.”

But when I turned to leave, my heart felt different.

Not lighter.

Not heavier.

Just… changed.

I stepped back into the hallway.

The door closed softly behind me.

The air outside felt cooler.

I walked slowly, trying to steady myself. My thoughts were too loud. My breathing uneven.

One year.

Contract mate.

Luna in public.

Maid in private.

My foot caught on the edge of the carpet.

It happened too fast.

The world tilted.

I reached out for the wall, but my fingers met empty air.

Then—

Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground.

One hand at my waist.

The other gripping my arm firmly.

Warm.

Solid.

I froze.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

My breath was trapped between us.

I lifted my head slowly.

A man stood before me.

Tall.

Broad shoulders.

Dark hair slightly falling over his forehead.

His hand was still around my waist.

His eyes—

Golden.

But not the same.

Softer.

Curious.

Not cold.

We stared at each other in silence.

His grip tightened slightly to steady me.

“Careful,” he said quietly.

His voice was deep. Calm.

I stepped back immediately, heart racing.

“I—I’m sorry,” I whispered.

He did not answer right away.

He was still looking at me.

Not judging.

Just watching.

The hallway was suddenly very quiet.

Too quiet.

I realized something.

I had not seen him downstairs.

He had not been with the parents.

He had not been with the sister.

So who...

Footsteps echoed faintly from somewhere behind us.

The man’s gaze shifted past me for a brief second.

Then back to me.

Something unreadable passed through his expression.

And before I could speak again..