Chapter One

"You're way too beautiful to be a maid, dear."

I smiled, not looking up from the window I was scrubbing, 

"Mrs. Beatrice, that's the third time you are saying this today."

"Because it's true three times over." Mrs Beatrice, the woman I now worked for as a personal maid, settled deeper into her armchair, the wood creaking under her weight. "A girl with a face like yours should be married to some wealthy merchant, not on her knees scrubbing floors."

I bit back a laugh. 

That was the exact reason I ran away from home, from my pack. 

If only I could tell her the truth that I was actually a princess to the third morst wealthy clan in the continent…but that would be neot be necessary. Especially not when I had been so careful, hiding my identity since my escape led me to moon crest pack, six months ago.

"I happen to like scrubbing floors," I said, moving to the next window. The afternoon sun caught the streaks I'd missed, and I scrubbed harder. "Very fulfilling work."

It was the truth. I find it funny when people sneer at me for my work…but to me it was fulfilling. For the first time in my life I had the freedom to do something meaningful…something other than trained to be a perfect wife…I had the liberty to work and build something of my own, a life o my own.

Yes, I understand that being a maid was what they considered a low standard work but it was the best thing I cxould get given that I had no educational background and could barely even spell my name.

"What girl your age would claim that they love working? You're wasting your youth."

Youth. 

I was eighteen which was ancient by my pack’s standard. Most girls my age already had two children hanging off their skirts.

The thought made my stomach turn.

"I'm saving money," I said, wringing out the rag. "For school."

Mrs. Beatrice made that clicking sound with her tongue, "School. At your age. When you could be settling down with my grandson…"

"Mrs. Beatrice."

"He's a lovely boy! Strong jaw, good teeth, owns three shops in the market district—"

"I'm not interested."

"You haven't even met him properly!"

I finally turned to look at her. She was eighty years old, built like a battle-worn oak tree, and the most persistent matchmaker I'd ever encountered. "I'm not interested in marriage. Or men. Or good teeth."

Her face fell. "But why?"

Because I spent my entire life being groomed like a prize mare for some man's bed. Because I have seven brothers who got to build empires while I learned to fold linens. Because the word 'wife' tastes like poison in my mouth.

"I just want to focus on myself right now," I said instead.

She studied me for a long moment, "You know, I've always admired that about you, Sera. You've got spine. Most girls these days just... fold."

Sera. My fake name still felt strange on my ears, even after eight months.

"Thank you."

"Which is why," She sat up straighter, and I recognized that gleam in her eye. The one that meant trouble. "—I spoke to the Alpha about you."

The rag slipped from my hand and hit the floor with a wet slap.

"You did what?"

"Oh, don't look so horrified! I did you a favor." She beamed "They've agreed to take you on as a maid at the palace."

My heart stopped. Then started again, too fast.

"The palace," I repeated slowly.

"Yes! Oh, don't look so shocked. The Alpha's mother and I go way back—been friends since we were girls. One word from me, and they were thrilled to have you."

Thrilled. Right. More like they needed bodies and Mrs. Beatrice happened to supply one.

But working at the palace would mean a  better pay. Better and faster savings which also means that I’d get to save faster to enroll in the adult school by next month instead of next year.

"What would I be doing?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Well, that's the interesting part." Mrs. Beatrice leaned forward. "They need someone who understands sign language. You mentioned you were fluent, yes?"

I nodded. My mother had insisted I learn it—said it was a 'ladylike skill' that showed sophistication. One of the few useful things she ever taught me.

"Perfect. Because you'll be the personal maid to the Alpha's son."

Oh.

Oh no.

I'd heard about him. Everyone had. The mute, traumatized son who hadn't spoken a word since watching his mother die ten years ago. The Alpha's greatest disappointment. Weak, timid, incompetent—those were the kindest words people used.

He’s had over twenty maids in the past six months, and none lasted more than two weeks.

"Mrs. Beatrice—"

"I know what you're thinking." She held up a gnarled hand. "But the pay is triple what I give you. Triple, Sera. You'd have enough for school in two months, maybe less."

Two months.

I could be sitting in a classroom in two months. Learning mathematics, history, literature—all the things my brothers got to study while I learned needlepoint.

"When do they need me?"

Mrs. Beatrice's face lit up. "This evening! They want to meet you first, of course. Oh, Sera, I'm so proud of you!"

She pulled me into a crushing hug that smelled like lavender and old wool. I hugged her back, my mind already racing.

The palace. The Alpha's son. Triple pay.

I could do this. I'd survived eighteen years in a gilded cage—I could survive one troubled prince.

How bad could it be?

---

The palace was massive.

I'd grown up in one, obviously, but this was different. Colder. All sharp angles and dark stone, like someone built a fortress and forgot to add the warmth.

A stern-faced woman led me through hallways that seemed to stretch forever, our footsteps echoing off marble floors. She didn't speak, didn't even look at me. Just walked with the efficiency of someone who'd done this too many times.

We stopped outside a sitting room with doors twice my height.

"Wait here." She disappeared inside.

I pressed my sweaty palms against my dress. This was fine. Just a job interview. I'd charmed Mrs. Beatrice, hadn't I? And she was terrifying.

I could charm the Alpha too…or whoever was in charge of the interview.

The doors opened.

"The Alpha will see you now."

I stepped inside and immediately wanted to step back out.

The Alpha sat in a chair that looked more like a throne, all dark wood and carved wolves. He was massive—easily six and a half feet of pure muscle, with silver threading through his dark hair. Power radiated off him like heat.

This was a man used to being obeyed.

"Sera, is it?" His voice was surprisingly warm.

"Yes, Alpha." I bowed my head, "Thank you for this opportunity."

"Mrs. Beatrice speaks highly of you. Says you're fluent in sign language?"

"Yes, Alpha. Very fluent."

He studied me, and I fought the urge to squirm under his gaze. 

"My son needs consistency," he said finally. "Someone patient. Someone who won't run at the first sign of difficulty."

"I understand."

“Well for both pur sakes I sincerely hope you do. Your job is simple: bring his meals, clean his chambers, keep him company. Make him comfortable."

"I can do that, Alpha."

He nodded with a smile, “Well that is settled then. You are tp resume work immediately.” He turned to a man that was standing by the corner, “Now that we haver this taken care of we will neecguards too. I need you, to get the best and strongest men you can find and change his current guards. The Rogue king’s attacks are escalating, we cannot leave him vulnerable,”

The man nodded without a word nut the alpha continued anyways, “The boy is way too timid for my own liking. Too weak to defend himself and he would be an eadsy target fpr that bastard.”

My skin prickled at the obvious contempt and shame in his voice as he spoke of his son.

“I wish one day he could snap out of this silly traumatized phase and remember how to be a man. Liook at our pack…every day we face attacks from a mad man who had crowned himself king of the rogues and my own son, who should be leading an army by now cannot even defend himself properly.”

I opened my mouth to respond—to what, I didn't know—when I heard footsteps on the stairs behind me.

I turned.

And forgot how to breathe.

He was gorgeous.

Devastatingly, unfairly gorgeous. Long silver hair that cascaded past his shoulders in waves that caught the lamplight. Sharp cheekbones, full lips, and eyes—gods, his eyes. Emerald green, so bright they almost glowed.

And they were looking directly at me.

"Ah." The Alpha stood. "Speak of the devil. Come here son…meet your new maid."

The silver-haired man descended the stairs his eyers still fgixed on me. Up close, he was even more beautiful—and more unsettling. There was something in those green eyes. Something that contradicted everything I'd heard about a timid, broken boy.

He stopped in front of me and extended his hand.

I stared at it. Then at him.

Was he... was he actually mute? Because the intensity in his gaze said more than words ever could.

I reached out and took his hand.

The moment our skin touched, lightning struck.

And I felot something hit me like a physical blow….burning, electric, undeniable. My wolf surged forward with a possessive snarl I'd never heard from her before.

MATE.

No.