Chapter 8 New Job

*Selena*

Personal omega to his Luna?

My ass!

"What if I refuse?" I challenged, lifting my chin with defiance.

A scowl darkened his face as he narrowed his piercing blue eyes dangerously. My bravado faltered for a moment, and I silently cursed the heavens. Goddess, save me. His alpha aura was suffocating, intense, and powerful enough to crush the small shred of resolve I was clinging to.

I instinctively averted my gaze, stepping back in a desperate attempt to escape his presence and catch a breath. But it was impossible. The room felt smaller, the air thick with his intoxicating scent-the same scent that still had the unnerving ability to send my heart spiraling into chaos.

"You signed the contract," his sharp voice cut through the tension like a blade, snapping me out of the haze he always seemed to create.

I blinked, gathering my wits. "I signed the contract this morning, yes. But I can still refuse to work, penalty be damned!" I shot back defiantly. Honestly, I didn't care about the penalty-I had no money to pay it anyway. And why would a billionaire alpha care about pocket change from someone like me? He wasn't serious... he couldn't be.

"Then go ahead," he said, his voice suddenly calm.

My confidence wavered as his gaze swept over me-head to toe-before settling back on my eyes, colder than ice.

"If you dare to leave this job," he continued, his tone laced with a menacing promise that sent chills down my spine, "I will make sure you don't get a job anywhere else. And I'll see to it that you won't have enough to eat another day."

I froze, the weight of his words sinking in like a stone in my chest.

He wasn't bluffing. I knew exactly what he was capable of. This was Zander Blake, the Alpha King-ruthless, relentless, and absolutely unforgiving.

Fuck.

I was so doomed.

"Why are you doing this?" I snapped, frustration bubbling in my chest like a storm ready to explode.

I expected him to smirk at my misery-mock me, even-but instead, his face remained as cold and emotionless as ever, like he was carved from ice.

"Don't consider yourself anything special. I needed a staff, that's it." His voice was detached, each word falling like stones.

"Then hire someone else," I shot back defiantly, unable to hide the anger lacing my tone.

His eyes darkened, the calm before a terrifying storm. "You don't have to tell me what I should do, Selena Ardolf." The way he glowered at me, his sharp tone cutting through the air, made me wince involuntarily. His aura, heavy with dominance, pinned me in place.

"Now hurry up and pack your stuff because my Beta will pick you up in half an hour and escort you to the Moonglow Pack," he commanded, his Alpha voice brooking no argument.

I gritted my teeth, my mind racing for a comeback that might finally push him into firing me. But deep down, I knew I couldn't afford to lose this job. Not now. Not ever.

With a huff, I turned silently on my heel and stormed out of his suffocating presence, the weight of his order pressing on my shoulders.

I made my way to the janitor wing, my steps heavy as I dragged myself to the small, dimly lit room where my meager belongings were kept.

As Zander had said, his Beta, Maddox, arrived to pick me up and drove me to the Moonglow Pack in a sleek Mercedes. The journey was quiet, and as we approached the pack's territory, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. Everything looked almost the same-every corner, turn, and road etched into my memory as if I'd never left.

When we finally reached the pack house, I glanced up at the vast building. It still held its old grandeur, though a few minor renovations had been made. The familiar sight tugged at something deep inside me, reminding me of the life I had once known.

Maddox pulled my luggage from the trunk, ready to carry it inside, but I snatched it from him.

"Let me take it, Luna," he mumbled, his voice low and respectful.

I bit my lip, shaking my head. "Beta Maddox, I am not your Luna anymore. And it's inappropriate for a Beta to carry an Omega's belongings," I whispered, keeping my eyes downcast.

I heard him exhale softly before stepping back, letting me handle my own luggage.

Inside the pack house, I walked through familiar hallways until I found Zander sitting with Avery. They seemed deep in conversation, but as soon as Avery spotted me, she shot to her feet, her beautiful face marred with a scowl.

"Selena? Why are you here?" she demanded sharply.

I licked my lips nervously and glanced at Zander. He hadn't told her yet?

Zander's gaze locked onto mine as he grabbed Avery's hand and pulled her onto his lap, never once breaking eye contact. I felt something strange tug at my heart, a pang I couldn't explain, and I fought the urge to look away.

Don't let it affect you, Selena, I scolded myself silently. He isn't your mate anymore, and what he does now shouldn't bother you.

But it did. Despite my efforts to bury the past, the sting of betrayal still lingered, sharp and fresh. How many times had they done this-mocking my place, my trust-when I was married to this arrogant, heartless Alpha King?

"Babe, you wanted an omega to serve you personally, right?" Zander's voice rang out, making me wince. "I hired one to help you," he declared, and I watched as a smug smirk tugged at Avery's face.

"Oh, I see," she purred sensually, her voice dripping with satisfaction as she turned to Zander. "You care so much about me, Zander." She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself close to him. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat, disgusted by their shameless display of affection in front of everyone.

"Avery, you two talk-I have some work to do," Zander said suddenly, to my surprise. He curtly disentangled Avery's arms from his neck and set her down on the couch beside him before standing up. With a quick gesture, he signaled Maddox to follow him and left without another word.

Now, I was alone with Avery Wright-the so-called love of my ex-mate's life and the very reason for my broken marriage.

Avery rose from the couch, the smug smile on her face a blatant attempt to mock me, but I didn't care. I didn't care that she was Zander's future Luna or that he loved her. They were both cheaters, and they deserved each other. She circled me like a predator sizing up its prey, her gaze scanning me from head to toe as if assessing my very existence. Finally, she stopped in front of me.

"I'm sorry to see you in such a pitiful state, Selena," she said, her voice dripping with taunt as she spat out the words. As if she'd ever had an ounce of empathy. "I genuinely never thought I'd find you in... well, you know." Her mocking glance swept over my appearance again, head to toe, before she pulled a pitiful face-fake as ever.

"Don't worry, Avery. I'm fine," I retorted, keeping my tone neutral, my face blank.

"Oh, I can see that," she snorted, the smugness in her voice cutting deeper than it should have. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from snapping back at her. "But the good thing is Zander gave you a job. We'll pay you well, of course. After all, you are my Zander's ex-mate."

Her emphasis on "my Zander" was desperate, and I could see through her facade. What she truly wanted was to rub it in my face-a pure, calculated insult dressed up as concern.

"You know how much he loves me-he does whatever I say. And if you serve me well, I might just tell him to give you a little extra reward," she grinned smugly, as though I should be grateful for her mercy.

I looked away, a faint pang in my chest rising for reasons I didn't want to name.

"Thank you, Avery. That's so kind of you," I replied curtly, my voice clipped and my patience waning.

Her grin only widened, as if my response had been exactly what she wanted. "Oh, I'm always kindhearted, Selena. I can't stand to see someone suffer-even if it's my enemy."

Her words hit a nerve, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. She wasn't worth it. None of this was.

"I should take your leave then and start my job immediately, Avery," I said, picking up my luggage and turning to leave for the omega quarters.

"It's Luna Avery to you, Selena," she simpered, her voice dripping with superiority.

I paused for a moment, caught off guard. She hadn't even married the Alpha yet, and she was already demanding the title of Luna. Such a desperate woman.

"Of course, Luna Avery," I replied with a fake smile before walking away, letting her believe she had won.

After settling my belongings in the Omega Quarter, I made my way to the kitchen where omegas were diligently preparing dinner for the whole pack, comprising over a hundred werewolves. The responsibility of feeding so many hungry mouths required an early start to the evening's preparations.

As I carefully inspected the omegas, I recognized some familiar faces, while others were new additions since I had left.

"Luna!" I heard a girl's voice squeal with excitement, causing me to turn my head in surprise. A girl with big, curious eyes was looking at me. I glanced around, half-expecting Avery to be standing there, but it was clear that she was addressing me.

"Luna Selena?! You are... Luna Queen Selena," she gasped, her eyes sparkling with realization. If Avery or someone else overheard her, she could be in significant trouble. I hurriedly approached the girl named Lola, making sure nobody was eavesdropping.

"Listen, umm... Lola," I recalled her name, trying to ease her excitement.

Her face lit up with joy and surprise. "Oh, my goddess! Luna, you know my name?!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm.

I smiled, gently taking her hand and leading her to a more secluded corner where we could talk privately.

"Of course, I know you, Lola. Just as you know me," I replied with a warm smile. "But I'm not your Queen anymore. Your Alpha King rejected me, and you will soon have a new Luna. Please, just call me Selena. I'm also working as an omega here."

Her eyes widened in disbelief and sadness. "No! Why do you have to do this, Luna?" she blurted out, then blushed, correcting herself, "I mean... Selena!" I held her hand reassuringly.

"Oh, Lola, I'm here for a job, not as the Luna," I coaxed gently, offering her a soft smile. "Your new Luna is Avery, and she won't be happy if she hears you calling me that."

Traditionally, omegas were considered the lowest rank and were not allowed to shift or receive training on the ground. They were confined to the pack house, performing household chores and cooking for other pack members. However, when I became Luna and joined this pack after marrying Zander, I introduced new laws, giving omegas the opportunity to receive training in self-defense and war. I firmly believed that not being able to shift didn't make them weak, and I had even organized championships and fighting competitions for omegas throughout the year to prove their strength and worth.

"Hey! What's going on here? You think this is a break room?" A sharp, irritated voice cut through the air.

Startled, I turned to see a woman marching toward us with an expression that could curdle milk. She wore a fitted black skirt and a crisp suit jacket, her heels clicking sharply against the floor with every step. Her posture radiated authority, and the look on her face screamed that she wasn't here to play around.

"Back to work, all of you! If dinner isn't ready on time, there will be hell to pay," she barked, her tone sharp and no-nonsense as her eyes scanned the room like a hawk.

"Sorry, ma'am! We'll get right on it," Lola said quickly, nudging me with her elbow to snap me into action. Without further delay, she shuffled toward the counter, grabbing a knife and vegetables.

"You!" The woman's finger shot out like a dagger, landing squarely in my direction.

I halted and looked at her as I noticed the name "Eden" engraved on the badge pinned neatly to her suit jacket.

"Luna Avery's butler," she added, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I didn't say a word, keeping my expression calm and composed. It was clear she was waiting for some kind of reaction, but when she didn't get it, her irritation only deepened.

Her scowl darkened, and she let out a sharp huff before narrowing her gaze at me, her eyes gleaming with silent threat.

"Listen up," Eden began, her voice laced with irritation as she folded her arms. "Get some rules into that head of yours. No creating unions, no scheming with anyone here, and no stepping out of line. You're here to work, nothing more. A daily list of tasks will be given to you, and if you fail to complete every single one-" she paused, her eyes narrowing into slits, "-there will be consequences."

I nodded silently, keeping my face neutral.

"Good," she said curtly, flicking her hand dismissively as if shooing me away. "Get to it."

She stared at me for a second longer, as if daring me to challenge her, before finally turning on her heel and stalking away, her heels echoing against the tiled floor.

Lola exhaled quietly next to me. "Welcome to the team," she muttered with a small, apologetic smile.

I shook my head, smiling faintly as I picked up a cutting board. "This is going to be a long day."

"By the way, where are Alpha's mother and sister?" I asked, curiosity creeping in as I realized I hadn't seen them in the pack house since my arrival. Memories of Blair, Zander's sister, wandering around the halls flashed through my mind.

Unfortunately, Zander's father, who had never accepted me as his son's mate, had passed away shortly after our marriage. It had been a devastating blow for all of us. On his way back to the pack after visiting a neighboring one, he was ambushed by rogues and tragically killed. Zander had been left devastated, blaming himself for his father's untimely death.

"The Alpha King has sent his sister for higher studies, and his mother went with her," Lola informed me.

I nodded, understanding the reasoning behind their absence.

"That makes sense. So, the Alpha King is living alone here with his mate," I concluded.

"His mate?!" Lola knitted her eyebrows in confusion.

I emphasized, "Your new Luna, Avery?!"

"No, Selena. Avery is not his mate. From what I've heard, it seems the Alpha agreed to marry her because the council of elders put a lot of pressure on him to choose a Queen. After all, as per the rules, a King cannot rule alone and needs an heir," she revealed, leaving me stunned.

They had always been so close that it was easy to assume they were destined mates. Nevertheless, the love they shared mattered more than any bond, whether fated or not. Still, I couldn't help but wonder why fate didn't pair them as mates when they seemed so similar and connected.

"And Avery is the most suitable bride for him," I remarked, mulling over the revelation.

Lola nodded, a smile tugging at her lips, though it seemed half-hearted.

"Lola, where is Dr. Anderson nowadays? She used to be my doctor. I was thinking of meeting her," I asked hesitantly, my mind drifting back to the doctor who had once delivered the most wonderful news of my life – my pregnancy. I wanted to know why she had never informed Zander about it. If he had known, he would have moved heaven and earth to make me regret running away with his child. He had always been so desperate to have an heir.

"Dr. Anderson was found dead in her clinic the day you left," Lola informed me matter-of-factly.

My heart skipped a beat. "What?!" I gasped, horror washing over me.

"No one found out the cause of her death in her clinic. It is still a mystery," she shrugged, her voice tinged with a mix of uncertainty and eerie acceptance.

Goosebumps prickled on my skin as the chilling reality of this palace sank in. It had always given me eerie vibes, but now, with the news of Dr. Anderson's unexplained death, the atmosphere seemed even more unsettling.

I didn't see Zander the entire evening. I only heard that he had left for a meeting at a neighboring pack and wouldn't be back until morning. That was a relief for me.

After finishing all the tasks in the packhouse kitchen, everyone retired to their rooms, and I quietly made my way to my assigned chamber. Locking the door behind me, I retrieved my laptop from my suitcase and connected it to the portable wifi. I logged into the dark website, where I communicated with the anonymous user – the one who had hired me for a clandestine task.

A message promptly popped up on the screen.

*Have you reached there?*

*Yes.* I replied, and the chat instantly became active, as if the anonymous user was waiting all the time for me to answer.

*When will you start?*

*Tonight.*

*Good.*

I quickly signed off, mindful of the risks involved in prolonged online activity. Everything had gone according to plan, and here I was, ready for my most dangerous mission-hacking into the world's most secure and powerful security system: the Moonglow pack's.