The rain began as a light drizzle by the time it was past 7pm.

Nadia was whistling a soft tune as she set the table, a genuine smile lighting up her face as she arranged the table for dinner.

When the door creaked open and Estelle walked in, looking exhausted and damp, Nadia rushed to greet her.

"Mom! You should not have come in the rain! Jeez!” Nadia queried.

“I couldn’t wait to get home” Estelle cooed.

“Well you are back just in time," Nadia said, helping her mother out of her wet shawl.

Estelle sighed, rubbing her aching lower back. "It was a long shift at work, Nadia. Your uncle had some elite pack elders at the main house, and the linens I washed were endless."

"I’m so sorry Mom. Well, I have some good news to cheer you up," Nadia said, pulling a small envelope from her pocket. "The freelance research gig I applied for? They paid my remunerations today. It is more than I expected. This means I can afford your entire next month of medication without having to ask Nelson for a single penny."

Estelle froze, her eyes widening. "No, Nadia. No, no. You keep that money. You have been wearing the same two pairs of shoes to work for a while now. Use it for yourself. Go to the market, get some good clothes, and enjoy a day of shopping. You deserve to feel like a young woman like girls your age in the pack"

Nadia shook her head firmly, pushing the envelope into her mother’s hand. "I have more than enough clothes, Mom. I don't need a new dress to be happy. Your health is paramount. Without those pills, your heart struggles. Your wellbeing is the only thing that matters to me."

"You are too stubborn for your own good," Estelle whispered, her voice lulled with emotion.

"I learned from the best," Nadia teased. She guided her mother to a chair and made her sit down. "Actually, I was thinking about something else today. I was thinking of assuming a cleaning role at Aunt Katerina’s house. If I take over some of the shifts there, you could rest more. You could finally take a week off."

Estelle’s face paled. "Absolutely not. I will not have you working in that house."

"Why not? It pays better than the warehouse," Nadia argued.

"Because I know you, Nadia. You have your father’s pride. You won't be there five minutes before you and Danielle start fighting. I won't have my daughter being humiliated by her own cousin."

Nadia knelt beside her mother’s chair. "I understand Danielle can be a lot. I know she is condescending and cruel, but I am not going there to be her friend, Mom. I am going there for a job. I will do my best to avoid her. I can keep my head down if it means we stay afloat."

"Danielle is still very condescending," Estelle insisted, her voice trembling. "She treats us like dirt beneath her heels. It is best you do not work there. I would rather work twenty hours a day than see her look down on you."

"Mom, I know the real reason you are keeping me away from that house is because of Uncle Edward, and for the fact that you do not want me reminiscing about the life we use to have, but all that is in the past, I believe where we are now is temporary, I am all for striving for a better future for both us, I want us to be able to live on our own terms" Nadia said softly. "If you can accept to work there to keep us alive, why can't I? Why am I any different?"

"Because you are my heart," Estelle began, but she was cut off by a sudden, violent thud.

The door groaned under the force of a loud bang.

“Are you expecting someone?” Estelle asked.

Both women jumped, their hearts racing.

"Open up! Pack security!" A gruff voice shouted from outside.

Estelle stood up, her face blank.

She walked to the door and pulled it open.

Two Gamma’s in dark uniforms stood there, their faces cold.

"Estelle Williams?" the lead gamma asked.

"Yes?" Estelle whispered. "What is this about?"

"I’m Vince.” He said, showing his ID. “We have reasons to believe a stolen item belonging to Lady Katerina is in this building," the gamma said, holding up a signed search warrant. "Step aside."

"Stolen?" Estelle gasped, clutching her chest. "That is impossible. I have never stolen a thing in my life. I have worked for that family for twenty years!"

"Search the place," the officer commanded, ignoring her.

Nadia stepped forward, her eyes flashing with anger. "You can't just barge in here! My mother is no thief. Show some respect!"

The gamma didn't even look at her. He shoved Nadia aside with a rough hand, sending her stumbling back against the kitchen table. "Stay back, girl, or you’ll be joining her in a cell."

Nadia watched in horror as they tore through their meager belongings. They overturned the mattress, dumped out the drawers, and swept the contents of the shelves onto the floor. It only took five minutes.

"Found it," the second gamma said, holding up a velvet box. He flipped it open to reveal a diamond heirloom that caught the dim light of the kitchen.

Estelle stared at the ring, her breath hitching. "I... I have never seen that before. I didn't take that. I swear on the Moon Goddess, I didn't take it!"

"Save it for the judge," the lead gamma said, grabbing Estelle’s arm and twisting it behind her back.

"It was a set-up!" Nadia screamed, trying to reach her mother. "Someone put that there! You can't take her!"

The officer pushed Nadia back again. Estelle looked over her shoulder, tears streaming down her face as they dragged her toward the door. "Nadia! Call Nelson! Tell him what happened! Call Nelson!"

"Mom! No!"

Nadia ran to the door, but the gamma’s slammed it shut. She threw it open and ran out into the pouring rain, watching as they shoved her mother into the back of a black SUV. The tires kicked up mud as they sped away, leaving Nadia standing alone in the downpour.

**

An hour later, Nadia stood in the grand entrance of Katerina’s.

It’s been ages since she came to this side of the pack house.

She tried to avoid the gaze and greeting of a pack member wanting to enquire why she was under the rain; she did not care about the piercing stares of servants moping around.

She was able to find her to the entrance because she used to live here when she was little, life beautiful until her father was brandished a traitor and killed.

Uncle Edward offered them a space in the BQ, while his family enjoyed her fathers wealth.

Her clothes were soaked through, and she was shivering violently, her hair plastered to her face.

Danielle stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at her with a look of pure disgust, while Katerina sat on a armchair, calmly filing her nails.

"Look what the rain dragged in," Danielle scoffed. "A wet rat in our living room."

Nadia ignored her and fell to her knees before Katerina. "Aunt Katerina, please. Please, I am begging you. My mother didn't do it. She has a heart condition. She needs her medication every day. Being without her meds in a cold cell... her health will deteriorate. She could die."

Katerina didn't look up from her nails. "The item your mother stole cost over twenty million dollars, Nadia. It is a family heirloom. You should be thankful this has not gotten to the ears of my husband, Edward. If he knew his own sister-in-law was a common thief, I would have no control over his ruthlessness. He would have her executed by morning."

"My mother is not a thief!" Nadia sobbed, her voice cracking. "She has worked for you for twenty years without taking so much as a piece of bread! Why would she start now?"

"News flash, honey," Danielle said, walking down the stairs and circling Nadia like a vulture. "Your mom stole it because she’s a desperate Omega. That’s why she is behind bars."

Danielle was really pushing it.

Nadia looked up at Danielle, her eyes red and burning. "You know she didn't do it, Danielle. You know her."

Nadia turned back to Katerina, throwing herself at her aunt’s feet and clutching the hem of her expensive dress. "Please, Auntie. I am begging you for her life. She won't survive three days in there. Have mercy."

Katerina finally looked down at her. "Nothing will change my mind, Nadia. I least expected Estelle to break my trust like this. I have already instructed the lawyers. I will be pressing charges without bail. Three years behind bars should be enough to deter her from being a petty thief."

"Three years?" Nadia screamed, the sound echoing through the house. "She won't last three months! Please, I will do anything. Anything!"

Danielle stopped pacing and tilted her head. "Anything?"

Katerina paused, her eyes narrowing as she looked at her niece. "Repeat that, Nadia. What did you say?"

"I am willing to do anything," Nadia wept, her hands pressed together in a desperate prayer. "I will cook, I will clean. I will work for free for the next three years. Just release her. Please, withdraw the charges. Give her back to me."

"Anything at all?" Katerina asked, her voice dropping low.

"Anything," Nadia whispered, her forehead touching the floor. "Anything at all. Just save my mother."

“We have a little service we would like you to provide for a couple of hours. And you will carry out those instructions with No questions asked. Agreed?”

“Agreed”.

It was still very early in the morning, the first rays of the morning sun would begin to bleed through the curtains soon.

Nadia stirred as she felt his warm presence behind her.

Alpha Conrad was awake, though he remained silent.

He leaned in, his lips pressing a lingering, tender kiss on her bare shoulder.

Nadia kept her eyes shut, her heart beating frantically.

She stayed perfectly still, her back to him, praying her scent wouldn't betray her.

In his hazy, post-coital state, Conrad didn't notice the subtle difference in her aura.

He gently lifted the duvet to adjust his position, and his eyes fell on the moon crescent birthmark on her back and then on the red stains on the white sheets.

A surge of possessiveness and unexpected tenderness washed over him.

He pulled her closer, burying his face in the crook of her neck before his breathing slowed, and he drifted back into a deep, satisfied sleep.

Danielle peered out, seeing that Conrad was out; she crawled toward Nadia’s side of the bed on her hands and knees.

"Move! Now!" Danielle mouthed, her face twisted in a silent snarl.

Nadia didn't need to be told twice.

She slid out from under the covers, her body aching with a soreness that made her wince.

She grabbed her clothes from the floor and scurried into the bathroom.

In a matter of minutes, she was dressed.

She exited the bathroom just as Danielle climbed into the warm spot she had vacated, tucking herself against Conrad’s chest.

Nadia took one last look and fled the room.

As she hurried down the hotel staircase, her phone vibrated in her pocket. It was Katerina.

"Is it done?" her aunt’s voice came through.

"It’s done," Nadia whispered into the receiver, her voice cracking. "I am leaving the hotel now. Tell the lawyers to withdraw the charges against my mother immediately."

"They are already on it. Go home, Nadia. And remember: this never happened."

Nadia hung up, her head down as she rushed through the lobby. She was so consumed by her own thoughts that she didn't see the man walking toward her. She slammed into a hard chest.

"Watch where you are going!" the male voice snapped.

Nadia looked up, her eyes wide. "I... I'm so sorry, I—"

"Nadia? Is that you?"

Nadia’s eyes adjusted. "Valentine?"

Her voice instantly shifted into a happy squeal. It was Valentine, her best friend from college. Before she could process the shock, he pulled her into a massive, familiar hug.

"Oh my god, look at you!" Valentine laughed, pulling back to inspect her. "What on earth are you doing at a five-star hotel at seven in the morning?"

Nadia’s mind raced for a lie. "I... I went partying with a friend. We were so knocked out that her boyfriend decided we should just crash here instead of driving back to our neighborhood."

Valentine raised a perfectly groomed eyebrow. "You? Attending parties? Since when do you do anything other than study and work three jobs?"

Nadia looked down, her face heating up. "My friends had to drag me out, Val. It was a one-time thing. But I have a freelance gig I need to catch, which is why I’m leaving so early." She looked at him, trying to change the subject. "I am still upset with you, you know. You moved overseas and ghosted me completely!"

Valentine sighed, his expression softening. "I know, I know. Life overseas was a lot to handle, Nadia. I had to figure out a lot of things. But I am back now, and I am not going anywhere." He squeezed her hands. "I hope you are open to dinner dates and hangouts like we used to do. It’s the only way I can make it up to you."

"Why not?" Nadia said, forced to smile despite the turmoil inside her. "I’ve missed our rants."

They quickly exchanged contacts, and Valentine gave her one last squeeze. "I’ll call you later today. Don't you dare ghost me back!"

"I won't! I have to run!"

Nadia practically sprinted to the bus station. She managed to get home, scrub the heavy makeup off her face, and change into her regular clothes just as a taxi pulled up outside.

The door opened, and Estelle stepped out, looking pale and frail.

"Mom!" Nadia screamed, running out to meet her. She threw her arms around her mother, sobbing into her neck.

"I'm okay, baby. I'm okay," Estelle whispered, stroking Nadia’s hair. She pulled back, her eyes searching her daughter’s face. "First things first, Nadia. Call Nelson. I need to thank him properly for getting me out of that nightmare."

Nadia wiped her eyes and looked away. "Nelson did not get you out, Mom. I didn't even call him."

Estelle froze. "He didn't help? Then who did? Nadia, how did you get the charges dropped? What did you do?"

"It doesn't matter," Nadia said, her voice dropping to a flat, hollow tone. "You are back home now. That is all that counts. I just hope you take this as a cue to never work for Uncle Edward or his family ever again. Going forward, I would work hard to take care of you; you do not have to work for them anymore."

"Nadia—"

"I’m tired, Mom. I’m going to my room."

Nadia walked into her small bedroom and shut the door. She stripped off her clothes, letting them fall in a heap on the floor. She stepped into the tiny shower, turning the water on as hot as she could stand it.

She tried to block out the memories, but they flooded back: the smell of his perfume, the weight of his body on hers, and the way he had whispered that she was beautiful at every given point in time. A deep, gnawing guilt tugged at her conscience.

But that was just it; life was unfair, and she had to trade her last asset for her mother's freedom, but this was going to be the last time she begged for mercy.

It was going to be the last time she traded her body or her self-worth for favors or anything in particular.

Deep down, she knew her mom did not steal from Aunt Katerina; last night put everything in perspective. Again, she had been used in the most manipulative way as a means to an end she did not know about.

She did not care.

She resolved that she was going to put this disaster behind her and work hard enough to make her uncle and his wife pay for everything they had done to her and her mother.

The first step: she needed to get a fucking job and put her degree to use.

***

The morning sun clawed through the gaps in the blackout curtains, but Alpha Conrad felt like it was clawing through his skull instead.

He woke with a groan, his hand flying to his temple to stem the tide of a splitting headache.

The first thing he noticed when he took a deep breath, was that something was off, his nostrils flared in rejection.

It was the scent.

The scent was wrong.

It was a harsh scent that stung the back of his throat.

He was tempted to ask if she had changed her perfume in the middle of the night, but he stopped himself, his mind foggy and sluggish. He tried to blink the world into focus, and as he moved his hand away from his face, he noted the dried blood stains on his fingers.

His gaze drifted to the sheets.

He squinted, turning his head to see Danielle lying next to him.

She was already watching him, her lips curved into an elegant smile. "Good morning, Your Highness," she whispered, her voice honeyed and light.

"Good morning," Conrad responded, his voice a low and gravelly rasp.

"I hope you slept well?" Danielle asked, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from his forehead.

Conrad winced at the movement, the pressure in his head spiking. "I did. But I cannot explain the splitting headache I am currently dealing with. It feels like a dull blade behind my eyes."

Danielle’s expression shifted into one of exaggerated sympathy. "Oh, you poor thing. If we were home, I would have made you my mother’s special herbal tea. It works like magic for tension. It is a family secret."

Conrad chuckled, adjusting himself to sit up against the headboard. "Sadly, we are not in your house, Danielle. My staff can prepare something once we leave." He paused, his nose twitching again as he looked at her. "Did you change your perfume from what you wore last night?"

Danielle stiffened for a fraction of a second, her hand faltering. She forced a small, airy laugh. "No, of course not. Why would you ask that?"

"It just seems... stronger," Conrad muttered, rubbing his brow.

"I did not change it at all," Danielle said, her voice turning slightly defensive before she softened it back into a purr. "In fact, you told me several times last night that you admired it. You said I smelled like heaven."

Conrad frowned. His memory was a hazy, fragmented mess, but he did remember those words. He remembered whispering them as the fragrance had made his inner wolf roar. He looked at Danielle now, trying to reconcile that memory with the scent currently assaulting his senses.

He was confused. His instincts were telling him the scents were different, but he waved the thought off. Perhaps the wine had distorted his perception, he thought. He did not want to hurt her feelings by telling her that her current scent was offensive to him.

"Sure I did," he said quietly, offering a smile. "Last night was... special."

Danielle's eyes lit up. "It was the same for me. Thank you, Conrad. Thank you for making me feel like a proper woman."

Conrad nodded, pulling her into his arms like a king acknowledging his consort. Danielle sneaked further into his embrace, her head resting on his chest as she traced the lines with her fingers.

"Now that you have known me," Danielle whispered, her voice trembling with a keen vulnerability, "when will I be getting the wedding ring and going for our special date?"

The question hung in the air for seconds.

Conrad stared at the far wall. "Are you available for dinner tonight?"

Danielle tilted her head back to look at him, her smile widening. "All you have to do is command, and I will do your bidding. I am always ready for Your Highness."

They remained silent for a while, Danielle bit her lip, her impatience bubbling to the surface. "When can we start preparations for the wedding, Conrad? My father and mother are already asking about the gala."

Conrad remained silent, his gaze distant.

Danielle felt a spike of panic. Had she pushed too far? She took his silence as a cue to reflect on how desperate she must have sounded. She quickly adjusted her tone, pulling back slightly. "I am sorry. I do not mean to sound like I am rushing you. I am only curious and excited to know what our future looks like. I want to be the Luna you deserve."

Conrad finally looked down at her, his expression unreadable. "You can start preparations right away if you want. I have no objection to the planning beginning now."

Danielle let out a breath she had been holding. "Really?"

"However," Conrad added, his voice firm, "we will have to wait until winter for the actual ceremony. That is when the extended family and the overseas elders will be in the country. A union of this magnitude requires the full council to be present. I hope that gives you enough time to prepare everything to your liking."

Danielle's heart sank slightly. Winter was months away. But she maintained her soft, grateful appearance. "Winter," she muttered, nodding slowly. "Yes, that is perfect. It will be a beautiful winter wedding. I will make sure it is the event of the century."

She leaned in to kiss him. Conrad accepted the kiss, then he broke away, his hands moving toward his trousers, which were draped over a nearby chair. He reached into the pocket and pulled out a black debit card with the Bradley crest embossed in gold.

"Take this," he said, handing it to her.

Danielle took the card, her fingers brushing his. "What is this?"

"The card has a one hundred and fifty million dollar limit," Conrad stated calmly. "The PIN is your date of birth. Consider it your budget for the engagement. You can get any ring of your choice. Go to the best jewelers in the city. Spare no cost.."

Danielle was shocked to her core. One hundred and fifty million. It was a staggering amount of money, a fortune that members of the Edwards Pack would never see in ten lifetimes. Her pulse skyrocketed, but she fought the urge to scream with joy. She forced herself to remain poised.

"Alpha," she breathed, her eyes wide. "This is... thank you. I do not even know what to say."

"Do not mention it," he said, his voice trailing off as he leaned back into the pillows. The headache returned with a sting. "I need another hour of sleep before my meetings."

Danielle kissed him again, clutching the card to her chest. "Rest well, my Alpha."

She watched him close his eyes, his breathing evening out almost instantly.

Shortly after Alpha Conrad left the suit, the door had barely faded when Danielle's phone began to vibrate on the bedside table. She snatched it up, seeing her mother's name flash across the screen.

"Speak of the devil," Danielle whispered to herself. She swiped to answer and let out an undignified shriek of joy. "Mummy! Oh my god, Mummy! You are a literal genius!"

"I take it the night was a success?" Katerina's voice came through, sounding expectant.

"Everything you said worked out exactly as planned! Every single detail!" Danielle threw herself back onto the pillows, kicking her legs in the air.

"This calls for a massive celebration," Katerina said, a smug tone creeping into her voice. "But tell me, did the Alpha suspect anything? Did he sense the switch?"

Danielle's face clouded over for a second. "No, he didn't. But ugh, Mummy, that stupid girl almost ruined everything. She actually overslept! Can you believe the audacity? After moaning and screaming all night. So much for a 'pure' virgin."

Katerina burst into laughter. "So, our little Omega enjoyed herself, did she?"

"She is a fucking pretender, Mom! I am telling you, She moaned way too much." Danielle rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with jealousy. "I almost died in that bathroom, I'm serious. Hearing the intense pounding and those moans through the door? Gosh, I was so jealous. My Alpha is such a sexgod. That should have been me in that bed, not that wretched scum."

"It doesn't matter who was in the bed, Danielle," Katerina reminded her. "Now, did he mention the wedding?"

"Better!" Danielle sat up abruptly, clutching the black debit card to her chest. "Guess what I am holding right now?"

"Danielle, I am in no mood for games. Just spill it."

"Alpha Conrad gave me his black card!" Danielle squealed, her voice reaching a high pitch. "He told me to go shopping and get my own engagement ring. His exact words were to 'spare no cost.'"

There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end, followed by Katerina's loud, triumphant squeal. "We are fucking rich! Danielle, do you understand what this means? This alignment will increase our rank in society overnight! Imagine being directly attached to the Alpha King. We are going to be untouchable."

"I am going to change everything," Danielle declared, her eyes gleaming with greed. "My wardrobe, my car, my entire circle of friends. I am finally going to get the latest iPhone and host a massive spa date for the girls just so I can rub it in. I cannot wait to see Jasmine's face."

"Jasmine? Alpha Kingstone's insufferable daughter?"

"Yes!" Danielle began mimicking a high pitched, whiny voice. "Oh, Jasmine always says, My boyfriend got me this designer bag, my boyfriend took me to Paris.' Well, my fiancée happens to be the Alpha of the strongest pack in the entire country, and he just gave me a black card to go shopping! I am going to show her that she is nowhere near my level anymore."

"You truly are your mother's daughter," Katerina said proudly. "You played him perfectly."

"I did, didn't I? He even told me I could start wedding preparations immediately. We have to wait until winter for the actual ceremony because of his family, but the money is available now."

"Winter is a long time to keep a secret, Danielle. You need to stay on your toes."

"I know, I know," Danielle said, looking at her reflection and smoothing her hair. "But with this card in my hand, I feel like I can handle anything. I'm going to go buy the biggest diamond they have."

"Come home soon so we can pop the champagne," Katerina said. "We have a lot of spending to plan."

"I'm on my way, Mom! I just need to make a quick stop at the jeweler first. Bye!"

Danielle hung up and kissed the black card, a wicked smile on her face. The Alpha was exactly where he belonged: under her thumb.