Chapter 6. New Life

*Selena* 

**Four years later**

I stared helplessly at the stack of cash in my hand. We had half a month to get by with this meager amount, and it would be incredibly difficult.

"Ugh!" I groaned, running my hand through my hair before placing the cash back in the box where I kept it in my room.

My bank account was already empty, and without a proper job, I had no idea how I would provide for my family next month. Austin's third birthday was just three months away, and the thought of failing him made me feel like a complete failure as a mother. My baby boy had asked for a game as a birthday gift, and I couldn’t even afford to give him that.

Damn it. I felt so miserable—like my fate was even crueler than my circumstances.

And then there was the growing fear over his mysterious illness.

Goddess, help me! I had tried everything, but even the best healer in the West didn’t have a cure.

Now, there was only one way left to save my baby boy… and my heart thumped with the reminder.

When I left the Moonglow Pack, I traveled to the West—far away from my cruel ex’s reach. After Austin was born, I jumped from job to job, just trying to make it through each day. Now, because of this better opportunity, I took the risk of coming to the North and accepted a job in the Wild Howl Pack as a hotel janitor, while Austin stays with my uncle in his pack back in the West.

 However, it wasn’t just any hotel; it was the only eight-star hotel in the world, catering exclusively to the wealthiest clients. The pay was generous, and they didn’t require a degree—just experience.

Oh no. My eyes shifted to the clock—it was an important day at the hotel, and I couldn’t afford to be late. Quickly getting ready, I rushed out for work.

Dressed in the janitor uniform, I was diligently cleaning the conference room when a staff member rushed in, looking flustered.

“Clean this room quickly! The Alphas have arrived, and the conference is about to start,” she announced urgently.

Alphas?! My heart began pounding in fear, and I instinctively tapped my chest, trying to steady myself.

It’s fine, I told myself. There’s no reason they would recognize me. Even if they do, everyone knows I’m divorced and have no connection to the Moonglow Pack anymore. 

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. Yeah. Take it easy, Selena.

I hurried through the cleaning, moving as fast as I could. We quickly set the table with snacks and water, and just as I was about to leave the conference room, the sound of heavy footsteps reached my ears. My heart started racing with nervousness.

Desperate to get out before any of the Alphas could see me, I chose a different route from the others, deciding to take the stairs instead of the elevator. 

“Hey, where are you going?” one of my colleagues called out as she noticed me heading in a different direction. “The elevator is this way.”

“You all go ahead. I just remembered I didn’t clean the bathroom, so I need to do it ASAP,” I replied, quickly coming up with an excuse.

“Ah, you’re going to miss seeing those hot Alphas,” she teased, grinning.

I shrugged, giving her a small smile before turning away.

“I heard a special guest is coming too. They’ve been keeping it a secret because of security,” another janitor chimed in.

“I wonder who it could be,” one of the women giggled.

I rolled my eyes. I didn’t have the time—or the slightest interest—to ogle the Alphas like the others. I’d lived with one, after all. And that arrogant asshole alpha had made my life a living hell.

Keeping my head down, I rushed forward, gripping the mop and bucket of dirty water tightly. My steps were hurried and careless, but all I could focus on was escaping before the trouble came.

Hearing voices behind me, I anxiously glanced back to see a group of people entering the conference area. My pulse quickened. I turned my head sharply before anyone could catch me looking, but in my distraction, I collided hard with what felt like a wall—a solid body.

The bucket clattered to the floor, and the mop slipped from my grip as I stumbled backward. A startled gasp escaped me, but before I could hit the ground, a strong hand caught my arm, pulling me upright.

I opened my eyes in both shock and relief, grateful I hadn’t fallen. But the relief was short-lived. My breath hitched, and every muscle in my body tensed as I looked up—straight into the cold, piercing blue eyes of my ex-mate.