bChapter /bb36 /b

bFenna’s /bPOV

“Are byou /bserious right nowb?/b” Mi’s voice cut through bthe /bair, dripping with bscorn/b. She took ba /bslow, deliberate bscan /bbof /bme, bher /blip curling. “You’re bjust /ba maid. What makes you think you have a chance with an Alphab?/bb” /bShe bwaved /bba /bdismissive hand. b“/bbGet /bout of here before I bhave /byou dragged away for cavesdropping.”

I stood frozen, but just as I opened my mouth to respond, Co, her mother, interjected, her tone far more calcting. b“/bWait a minute. She might be the one.”

Mi’s beyes /bnarrowed. “What? Look at bher/bb! /bShe smells like a cheap tavern floor. How could she possibly be usefulb?/bb” /bShe scoffed again.

Co leaned in, whispering something in Mi’s ear. Whatever it was made her face shift from anger to intrigueb. /bb“/bYou’re still too young to understand, darling. Menb–/bespecially those in power–have ba /bcertain… taste. It’s often the ones that look like they’ve bbeen /bthrough the dirt that get them.”

I didn’t know what game Co was ying, but I knew I’d have to y along. She turned to me, her gaze sharp. “What’s your nameb?/bb” /b

“Fenna, mydy.”

She raised an eyebrow. “And how old are you?”

“Twenty–five,” I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.

“A bit old, but…” Her gaze lingered on my chest for a beat too long, then flicked back up to my eyes. “Have you been with men before?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Of course, mydy. I’ve had more than my fair share of boyfriends. If I’m honest, most of them couldn’t keep their hands off me. I’m no stranger to the more… adventurous side of things.” I gave a sly smile. “Things most girls won’t do. Gags, ropes… even some kinkier stuff.”

Mi’s face twisted in disgust. “Stop! I don’t need to hear about your filthy habits.”

I mped my mouth shut at once, the weight of her re heavy on my chest.

Co didn’t seem bothered, though. She stepped forward and grabbed my chin, turning my face left and right, inspecting me like I was some piece of livestock. “Nice face. Good body. Any health issues? We wouldn’t want Alpha Cael catching anything nasty.”

“No, mydy. I’ve got nothing to hide. I can even give you my health report if you’d like.”

“Good.” She nodded. Then Mi, with a note of suspicion, spoke up again.

“Hold on. Why are you so eager to help us? We didn’t promise you anything.”

I quickly shook my head. “You don’t have to pay me, mydy. I’m just thankful for the job you gave me. And-” I hesitated, then let the truth spill. “I’ve got my reasons for doing this. I can’t stand ra. I’d love to see her brought down a peg for you.”

Mi blinked, clearly taken aback. “You hate her too? Why?”

“Didn’t you hear how she kicked you out of your roomst week?” bI /bbit the words out. “And she made us move her damn luggage to her new room like we were her ves. We were a few minuteste, and she freaked out in front of Alpha Thorne, had him punish all of us…” I felt my pulse quicken, the hatred for ra creeping up. “She’s a breal /bpiece of work.”

The truth bwasn’t /ball I bwas /btwisting, but it didn’t matter. ra bhad /bbcrossed /ba lineb, /band bI /bwanted to bmake /bbsure /bbshe /bfelt bthe /bsting.

bI /bbwent on/b, fueled by a mixture of bitterness and bjealousy/b. “And bthat’s /bwhy I’m doing this for you. I’m going to help you take her down. I bswear /bit.”

Mi looked confused. “Why do you hate bher /bso much?b” /b

“bBecause /bshe’s bjust /blike me. She’s used what bshe /bhas to climb thedder, but now bshe’s /bon top, and it’s not fair. bIf /bbshe /bcan bget /bher ws into an Alphab, /bwhy can’t bI/bb?/b” The thought made me tremble. I wasn’t just after Cael–I bwas /bbafter /beverything bra /bhad. The power, the position, the status. And the feeling bof /bsnatching it all away from her bwas /bintoxicating.

“I’ll do whatever it takes,” I finished. “Let me prove I’m up for thisb./bb” /b

Co raised an eyebrow, obviously entertained. “You have a n?”

“I’ve been in the kitchen for months, mydy. I know how things work around here. Let me serve in the dining room tonight, and I’ll handle the rest myself.”

Co nodded approvingly. “Good. But you can’t wear that dress. If you want to catch an Alpha’s eye, you need something more fitting. Go to the head maid’s wardrobe and find something that’ll turn heads.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Thank you! I won’t let you down.” I bowed deeply before turning to leave, the excitement building with every step.

Mi watched me go, lips curled in disdain. “Mom, are you sure this… this cheap slut is the right one for the job?”

“Don’t worry,” Co replied, her voice dripping with confidence. “She’ll be lucky if Alpha Cael even looks her way for more than one night. She’s just an amusement.”

“I know, right?” Mi scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Can you imagine him picking her over someone like me?” She paused for a moment, then shook her head. “No way. It’sughable.”

Co chuckled softly, smoothing her daughter’s hair. “Sweetie, those types are for fun. They’ll never hold Alpha’s heart. That will always belong to someone like you. A true princess. Only you deserve to be Luna.”

Mi seemed to settle under her mother’s reassurance, a sly smile creeping back onto her lips. “Right. Now go freshen up. Alpha Thorne and the others will be back for dinner soon. You want him to see you at your best.”