The bucket of soapy water sloshed as I scrubbed the Beta house hallway floors. My knees ached from kneeling on the hard tile, and my hands were raw from the harsh chemicals. But I kept my head down and worked, just another invisible Omega doing her job.
"Hayley."
I looked up to find Marcus Rivera standing over me, his arms crossed. The Gamma's expression was tight with concern.
"Marcus." I sat back on my heels, wiping my forehead with the back of my wrist. "Something wrong?"
He glanced down the hallway, then crouched beside me, lowering his voice. "I need to ask you something. And I need you to be honest with me."
My pulse quickened, but I kept my face neutral. "Okay."
"Jeremy's been acting strange. More than strange—reckless. He's ignoring Alpha's calls, skipping patrols, making decisions without authorization." Marcus's jaw tightened. "And there's something off about the territory records. Discrepancies in the northern hunting grounds logs."
I dipped my brush back into the bucket, scrubbing at an imaginary stain. "I wouldn't know anything about that. I'm just—"
"You're not just anything." His voice was firm. "I've watched you for five years, Hayley. You're smarter than you let on. And the way you handled that rejection..." He shook his head. "Most wolves would've collapsed. You walked away like it was nothing."
I met his eyes. "It wasn't nothing."
"I know." His expression softened. "But you're still standing. That takes strength most wolves don't have." He paused. "If you know something—anything—about what Jeremy's planning, I need to hear it. For the pack's sake."
I wanted to tell him everything. Marcus was a good wolf, loyal to the pack, not to Jeremy's ambitions. But revealing too much too soon would ruin everything.
"The northern hunting grounds," I said carefully. "You said there were discrepancies?"
"Yes. Recent ones. Like someone's been accessing files they shouldn't."
I wrung out my brush, watching the dirty water drip back into the bucket. "Maybe you should check who's been in those files. And maybe cross-reference them with any recent... financial transactions."
Marcus's eyes narrowed. "Financial transactions?"
"Just a thought." I picked up the bucket and stood. "I need to finish the west wing before dinner service."
He caught my arm gently. "Hayley. Whatever's happening—be careful."
I nodded and walked away, feeling his suspicious gaze on my back.
---
The courier arrived two days later.
I was in the kitchen preparing lunch when I heard the commotion in the main hall. Voices raised in excitement. Jeremy's laugh, loud and triumphant.
I set down the knife I'd been using to chop vegetables and moved to the doorway, staying in the shadows.
A wolf in formal Lycan Court livery stood in the center of the hall, holding a sealed envelope. The wax seal gleamed gold—the King's mark.
Jeremy tore it open, his hands shaking. Angel pressed against his side, reading over his shoulder.
"It's from the Lycan King," Jeremy breathed. "He's inviting me to present the chalice at the High Council Summit."
Angel squealed, throwing her arms around his neck. "I told you! I told you this would happen!"
Jeremy read aloud, his voice swelling with pride. "'Beta Jeremy Wagner of Silver Moon Pack is cordially invited to present the alleged Lost Chalice of the First Alpha at the upcoming High Council Summit. You may bring your mate and necessary servants.'"
His eyes lifted from the letter and scanned the room until they found me in the doorway.
A slow, cruel smile spread across his face.
"Hayley," he called out. "Come here."
I stepped into the hall, keeping my expression blank.
"You're coming with us to the Lycan King's estate," Jeremy announced. "As our servant. Someone needs to carry the luggage, after all." He wrapped his arm around Angel's waist. "And I want you there to see it. To see me receive my rightful place on the High Council."
Angel's smile was vicious. "It'll be good for you. A reminder of what you lost."
I bowed my head. "Yes, Beta."
Jeremy's laugh echoed through the hall as he pulled Angel toward the stairs, already planning what to wear, what to say, how to make his grand entrance.
I returned to the kitchen and picked up my knife.
Two more days. That's all I needed.
---
The morning of departure came cold and gray. I woke before dawn in my cramped Omega room and packed my few belongings into a worn duffel bag.
At the bottom, wrapped in an old scarf, was my Royal Signet ring. I hadn't worn it in five years. Hadn't even looked at it. But now I held it up to the dim light, watching the silver wolf emblem catch the glow.
Soon.
I tucked it back into the scarf and zipped the bag closed.
Outside, a sleek black limousine idled in the circular driveway. Jeremy must have spent a fortune on it—money he'd taken from the pack's emergency treasury. I'd heard Marcus arguing with him about it yesterday, but Jeremy had pulled rank, claiming it was "official Council business."
Jeremy and Angel emerged from the Beta house dressed like they were attending a royal wedding. Jeremy wore a tailored suit that probably cost more than my entire year's salary. Angel's dress was designer, her heels so high she could barely walk.
I stood by the trunk in my plain jeans and faded jacket, waiting.
"Load the bags," Jeremy ordered without looking at me.
I picked up the first suitcase—Angel's, monogrammed and heavy—and lifted it into the trunk. Then Jeremy's matching set. Four bags total, stuffed with clothes and accessories for a trip that would last two days at most.
As I reached for the last bag, Angel stepped forward and kicked dirt onto my shoes.
"Try not to embarrass us in front of the King," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I know it's hard for you, being so... common. But do your best to stay invisible."
I looked down at my dirt-covered shoes, then back up at her.
"I'll do my best," I said quietly.
Jeremy opened the limo door for Angel, and she slid inside like a queen. He followed, and the door slammed shut.
The driver glanced at me. "You're riding up front, miss."
I climbed into the passenger seat and set my duffel bag at my feet. Through the tinted partition, I could hear Jeremy and Angel laughing, popping champagne, celebrating their imminent rise to power.
The limo pulled away from Silver Moon territory, heading toward the Lycan King's estate.
I touched the hidden ring through the fabric of my bag and smiled.
Let them celebrate.
They had no idea what was waiting for them.
