bChapter /bb38 /b

Fenna’s POV

bI /bcouldn’t bwipe /bbthe /bgrin off my bface /btonight.

The dining hall was ba /bfar bcry /bfrom my old jobb–/bfrozen meat, dull kitchen btasks/b, and scraping by. Now, bI /bwas stepping into the grand banquet hallb, /bsurrounded by bpeople /bwho mattered. The type of crowd that would shape bthe /bbpack’s /bfuture.

And I had finally gotten a chance to talk to Alpha Cael.

That man… Alpha Caelb. /bHis presence alone made the room feel smaller, but that body? My mind wandered to bces /bbI /bshouldn’t let it go. I couldn’t deny how my legs softened just thinking about him. That gEamon? It bwasn’t /bba /bmistake. bHe /bwanted me. I saw it in the way his hand brushed mineb. /b

He definitely noticed me.

And why wouldn’t he? I had what every man wanted–a body that demanded attention. A killer set of curves that no man could bresist/b. It wasn’t just wishful thinking; it was the truth.

I hummed under my breath, my spirits so high I couldn’t keep the joy inside.

The dinner was wrapping up, and the task at hand was simple enough. A tray of desserts needed to be delivered to the banquet hall. But fate had other ns.

I barely stepped out the door when a tall figure blocked my path.

“Fenna?” the woman asked.

I froze. Something about her aura set me on edge. She was fit, her skin glowing like she spent hours training outdoors- tough. Intimidating. She could probably crush me with a single punch if she felt like it.

“Who are you?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“bVessa/b,” she replied, her smile sharp like a de. “Alpha Cael’s guard. He asked me to give this to you.” She handed me a small key.

I stared at it, dumbfounded.

“What… what’s this?b” /bI stammered, unsure how to react.

“Seems pretty obvious to me.” Vessa raised an eyebrow, “It’s the key to Alpha Cael’s suite. He said you’re free toe by tonight, bring him milk, make his bed… or do whatever else you want.”

I swallowed, my heart pounding. The room spun for a moment. This was too easy. Too simple. I expected to have to work for this–bribe a guard, maybe charm him again. But he handed me the key like it was nothing.

He wanted me.

That bwas /bthe only exnation.

A slow smile spread across my face as I took the key from her, my fingers brushing bhers/b.

“Tell Alpha Cael I’ll be there tonight,” I said, my voice dripping with confidence.

“I’ll pass it along,” she said, winking as she turned and walked away.

I could hardly bcontain /bmy bughter/bb. /b

Without beven /bba /bsecond thought, I left the tray bof /bbdesserts /bbehind. The brest /bof the night? It didn’t matter. Maid duties, bkitchen /bbchores/bb–/bforget it. I bwas /bon my bway /bto bing someone bfar /bgreater. An Alpha’s concubine.

bJust /bthinking about it made bme /bgiddy. I’d bhave /bbthe /bpower, the brespect/bb. /bPeople would bkneel /bbefore bme/bb, /band I’d bbe /bdripping in bjewels /band bclothes/b.

bAs /bI bstepped /btoward the doorb, /bthe head maid stormed bpast/b, spotting the abandoned tray on the floor.

b“/bWhere do you think you’re going?b” /bshe snapped. “Pick that up–those are for the noblesb!/bb” /b

I whipped around, my eyes zing. “You’ve got some nerve, don’t you?”

“What did you just say?” She looked at me, shocked.

“bI /bsaid,” I stepped closer, poking her chest with a finger, “you better watch it. Soon, I won’t be under your thumb anymore. Keep talking like that, and I’ll p that smug face of yours.”

Her mouth fell open. “You-”

“Shut it. Don’t waste my time.” I shoved her aside, letting the words sink in as I walked past her, leaving her staring after me.

bBack /bin my room, I didn’t waste a second. A quick shower, the scent of perfume settling on my skin, and I slipped into the most seductive lingerie I owned.

I twirled in front of the mirror, admiring myself.

“Perfect,” I muttered under my breath.

I pulled on a nightrobe, grabbed the key, and made my way toward Alpha Cael’s suite.

I passed the guards with ease, waving the key in front of them. The feeling of having ess, of being chosen, was intoxicating.

By the time I reached his suite, I was barely able to contain my excitement. I swiped the key and stepped inside.

The room was dim. A faint sound of water running echoed from the bathroom.

“Alpha Cael?” My voice trembled with anticipation, but there was no response.

The water was still running.

I couldn’t stop myself. With a deep breath, I slipped out of my robe and tiptoed toward the bathroom, my heart racing.

“Alpha?” I whispered, my fingers grazing the door handle.

“I’ming in.”

bI /bcracked the door open just enough to see the blurred outline of someone behind the shower curtain. My breath hitched in my throat.

Before I could stop myself, I lunged forward,ughing softly, “Alpha Cael! Wake up—”

Suddenly, a hand shot out from behind the curtain and grabbed my throat.

bMy /bbreath hitched. I bgasped/b, fingers wing at the strong hand bsqueezing /bmy windpipe. “Nob–/bstop! It’s me! Fenna!”

The curtain bwas /bripped bback /bin one swift motion.

I froze, my heart crashing into my ribsb. /b

Standing before me wasn’t Alpha Cael.

It bwas /brab. /b

Her grip tightened, and she leaned in, her smile chilling. “I know it’s you,” she said, her voice low and calm.

I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. All I could do was stare up at her in horror bas /bshe whispered, “And I’ve been waiting for you for a long timeb.” /b