The kitchen smelled like baking bread and simmering soup, and despite everything, Sera's stomach growled. She'd barely eaten in days, too focused on preparation and planning to remember basic things like food.

Elder Moira noticed. Of course she did. Those sharp eyes didn't miss anything.

But she didn't comment, just led Sera down another hallway and into a small office. It was tidy and efficient, with a desk, two chairs, and filing cabinets. A window looked out onto what appeared to be an overgrown garden, wild and beautiful and somehow sad.

"Sit," Elder Moira said, taking the chair behind the desk.

Sera sat, hands folded in her lap, projecting calm even though her heart was hammering.

Elder Moira pulled out a file-Sera's application, she realized, along with the false references she'd carefully constructed.

"Your references are adequate," the older woman said, flipping through pages. "Though I notice you've moved around quite a bit in the past two years. Oregon, Washington, Northern California, now here."

"Yes, ma'am." Sera let real emotion color her voice-not hard, when the pain was always so close to the surface. "I lost my parents in an accident two years ago. I've been... trying to find somewhere that feels like home again. It's been difficult."

Elder Moira's expression softened slightly. "I'm sorry for your loss. Losing family is never easy."

"Thank you." Sera took a shaky breath, perfectly calculated. "I know moving around so much doesn't look great on a resume. But I'm ready to stay somewhere now. To build something stable."

"What brings you to Silvermoon specifically?"

Sera had prepared for this question. "I'd heard good things about the pack. That Alpha Stormridge runs a fair, honorable operation. That he takes care of his people." She met Elder Moira's eyes directly. "After everything... I wanted to be somewhere I'd feel safe. Somewhere I could maybe belong again."

It was a beautiful lie, wrapped around a kernel of truth. She had heard those things about Kael Stormridge-everyone said he was fair, honorable, a good Alpha. It was one of the things that made the evidence of Marcus's assassination so hard to reconcile.

But evidence didn't lie. And Sera couldn't afford to doubt now.

"The work is demanding," Elder Moira continued. "Long hours, early mornings, physically exhausting at times. You'd be responsible for cleaning and maintaining the main house, which has over forty rooms. You'd also be expected to help with special events and pack gatherings. The upcoming mating ceremony, for instance-all staff will be involved in preparations."

The mating ceremony. Where everything would end.

"I'm not afraid of hard work," Sera said firmly. "And I'm good at what I do. I pay attention to details. I'm reliable and discreet."

"Discretion is important here." Elder Moira leaned back in her chair, studying Sera with those sharp eyes. "You'd be living in the household, seeing and hearing things that are private pack business. The Alpha values loyalty above all else. Can you give me that loyalty, Miss Blackwood?"

The irony of the question would have been funny if it weren't so bitter.

"Yes, ma'am," Sera lied smoothly. "I understand the importance of discretion and loyalty. You can trust me."

Elder Moira was quiet for a long moment, and Sera had the uncomfortable feeling that the older woman could see straight through her carefully constructed facade. Could see the rage and grief and deadly purpose underneath.

But then Elder Moira nodded. "I'll be frank with you, Miss Blackwood. We're short-staffed at the moment. Two of our regular housekeepers left to join their mates in other packs, and we have the mating ceremony in six weeks. I need reliable people, and I need them quickly."

Six weeks. The timeline matched what Sera had learned from her research.

"That said," Elder Moira continued, "I'm a good judge of character. I've been running this household for twenty years, and I know when someone is being honest with me."

Sera's pulse jumped. Did she know? Had she somehow seen through everything?

"You're running from something," Elder Moira said quietly. "Pain, probably. Loss. I can see it in your eyes, child. You have the look of someone who's been hurt deeply."

Sera's throat tightened. That, at least, wasn't a lie.

"But," the older woman continued, "I also see someone who's trying. Someone who wants to rebuild. And that's what we do here at Silvermoon. We give people a chance to belong."

The kindness in her voice was almost unbearable. Sera wanted to scream at her, *I'm not here to belong! I'm here to destroy everything you've built!*

Instead, she ducked her head and whispered, "Thank you. That means a lot."

Elder Moira stood. "The position is yours if you want it. Room and board included, plus competitive wages. You'd start tomorrow morning at five AM. I'll show you to your quarters now, introduce you to some of the other staff, give you a tour of the areas you'll be responsible for."

It couldn't be this easy. Sera had expected more scrutiny, more questions, maybe a background check that would take days.

But apparently the pack's desperation for staff was working in her favor.

"I want it," Sera said, standing as well. "Thank you so much for this opportunity, Elder Moira. I won't disappoint you."

Another lie. She was going to disappoint everyone here so catastrophically that the pack would probably remember it for generations.

"Come along then." Elder Moira headed for the door. "I'll show you around before the Alpha returns from his border patrol. He likes to meet new staff members eventually, but there's no need to bother him with it today."

The Alpha. Kael Stormridge. Marcus's killer.

Sera's hands clenched into fists before she carefully relaxed them. "Does he... does the Alpha interview all the staff personally?"

"Not usually, but he likes to know who's in his household. Security concern, mostly." Elder Moira led her back through the kitchen, nodding to the cook. "Don't worry, dear. He's intimidating at first-all Alphas are-but he's fair. As long as you do your work and stay out of trouble, you'll never have a problem with him."

*Stay out of trouble.* If only Elder Moira knew.

They climbed a back staircase to the second floor, then down a long hallway. The mansion was even larger on the inside than Sera had expected-endless corridors, numerous doors, the kind of space that spoke of old money and older power.

"The servants' quarters are in the east wing," Elder Moira explained. "You'll share a hallway with the other housekeeping staff, but you'll have your own room. Bathroom is communal, down at the end of the hall. Meals are served in the staff dining room at six AM, noon, and six PM, but you're welcome to make yourself tea or coffee in the kitchen anytime."

She stopped at a door marked with a simple "7" and produced a key. "This will be yours."

The room was small but clean and surprisingly pleasant. A single bed with a simple quilt, a dresser, a small desk and chair, a narrow window that looked out over the grounds. It was sparse, functional, nothing like the comfortable apartment Sera had shared with Marcus.

But it would do. It was just a stage set, after all. A place to rest between acts of her revenge play.

"The other maids are friendly," Elder Moira continued. "Rosie especially-she's about your age, works the same shift. She'll help you learn the ropes. Unpack, get settled, and come down to the staff dining room at six for dinner. I'll introduce you to everyone then."

"Thank you," Sera said, setting her purse down on the bed. She'd brought one small suitcase-everything she owned now fit in one suitcase. "I really appreciate this."

Elder Moira paused at the door, her expression softening again. "We take care of our people here at Silvermoon, Miss Blackwood. You've found a good place to land. Let yourself heal here."

Then she was gone, closing the door softly behind her.

Sera stood alone in the small room, breathing carefully through the sudden rush of emotion. Guilt, maybe. Or just exhaustion.

She'd done it. She was inside. The first phase of her plan was complete.

She walked to the window and looked out at the grounds. From here, she could see the training fields where several wolves in human form were running drills. Beyond that, the forest stretched endlessly, dark and deep and ancient.

And somewhere in this massive estate, Alpha Kael Stormridge was going about his day, completely unaware that his destruction had just arrived in a modest navy dress and false smiles.

Sera pressed her hand against the cold glass, watching her breath fog the window.

Inside her chest, her wolf remained silent. No excitement. No fear. No instinctive warning that they were in the home of a powerful Alpha.

Just emptiness.

"I'm here, Marcus," she whispered to the ghost that haunted her. "I'm inside. It begins tomorrow."

She pulled the envelope with the evidence from her purse and studied the photos again. Marcus's broken body. The analysis pointing to Alpha Kael. The cold, clinical details of assassination.

This was why she was here. This was what mattered.

Not Elder Moira's kindness. Not the warmth of the kitchen or the beauty of the estate. Not the sense of home that seemed to permeate this place despite her best efforts to remain detached.

Revenge. Justice. Making Marcus's killer pay.

Sera tucked the envelope back into her purse, then unpacked her meager belongings. Two more changes of clothes. Toiletries. A framed photo of Marcus that she set on the nightstand, his smile frozen forever in happier times.

She sat on the bed and stared at his face, memorizing it again, reminding herself why nothing else could matter.

"Six weeks," she told him. "Maybe less. I'll make him love me. I'll make him break his mating. And then I'll watch him lose everything."

The photo didn't answer. Marcus was gone, beyond reach, beyond saving.

But Sera could still avenge him. Could still make his death mean something.

Even if it meant becoming a monster herself.

---

At six PM, Sera made her way down to the staff dining room, following the sounds of conversation and the smell of food.

The room was smaller than the main dining hall she'd glimpsed during her tour, but it was warm and comfortable, with several long tables and mismatched chairs. About fifteen people were already seated-a mix of ages and roles, from what she could tell. Kitchen staff, housekeepers, groundskeepers.

The conversation quieted as she entered.

"Everyone," Elder Moira called from where she sat at the head of one table. "This is Sera Blackwood. She's joining our housekeeping staff starting tomorrow. Please make her feel welcome."

There was a chorus of greetings, and a young woman with dark curly hair and a bright smile jumped up from her seat. "Hi! I'm Rosie. Elder Moira said you'd be working my shift. Come sit with us!"

Sera allowed herself to be pulled over to a table where several younger staff members sat. They made room for her, pushing plates and glasses aside, and immediately started introducing themselves.

"I'm Rosie, obviously," the curly-haired girl said. "That's Thomas-he works in the gardens. And this is Lily and James, they're housekeeping too. And that's Marcus-"

Sera's heart stopped.

But it was just a coincidence. A different Marcus. A young man with sandy hair who waved cheerfully from across the table.

"Welcome to Silvermoon," this other Marcus said. "You picked a crazy time to start-the mating ceremony preparations are intense."

"I heard," Sera managed, her voice only slightly strained. "Six weeks, right?"

"Less now," Lily said, rolling her eyes. "And Miss Celeste has been an absolute nightmare about every detail. You'd think it was a royal wedding the way she's carrying on."

"Lily," Elder Moira said warningly from the next table.

"Sorry," Lily muttered, but she didn't look particularly repentant. "I'm just saying, some people could stand to be a bit more gracious."

"What's she like?" Sera asked, carefully casual. "Miss Celeste?"

"Beautiful," Rosie said diplomatically. "Very... sophisticated. From a prominent family. The marriage will be a great alliance for the pack."

"But cold," Lily added in a whisper. "I've never seen her smile at Alpha Kael. Not really smile. It's all so... formal."

"That's enough," Elder Moira said firmly. "We don't gossip about pack leadership in this household. Is that understood?"

There was a chorus of "Yes, Elder Moira," but Sera caught the looks exchanged around the table. There was a story there. Tension.

Perfect.

The cook from earlier-who introduced herself as Margaret-brought out platters of food. Roasted chicken, vegetables, fresh bread, apple pie. It was simple, hearty fare, and despite her earlier lack of appetite, Sera found herself eating ravenously.

"You look half-starved," Margaret observed, ladling more gravy onto Sera's plate. "When did you last have a decent meal?"

"It's been a while," Sera admitted. "This is delicious. Thank you."

As dinner continued, Sera listened more than she spoke, gathering information. The staff clearly respected Alpha Kael-they spoke of him with genuine warmth. Beta Lucas was mentioned frequently, always positively. Celeste was referenced with careful neutrality that spoke volumes.

"You'll barely see the Alpha or Miss Celeste," Rosie said as they cleared plates after dinner. "They keep to the main wing mostly. The Beta comes through more often, checking on things. He's nice. Strict, but nice."

"Does the Alpha not... interact with the staff?" Sera asked.

"Oh, he does sometimes," Rosie said. "He knows everyone's names, asks about our families. But he's busy, you know? Running the pack, border patrols, meetings with other Alphas. And lately he's been dealing with the mating arrangements. Though..." She lowered her voice. "Between you and me, he doesn't seem very excited about it."

"Rosie," Elder Moira said warningly.

"I'm just making conversation!" Rosie protested.

After dinner, Rosie showed Sera the cleaning supply closets, the laundry facilities, and the general layout of the servants' wing. She chattered constantly, friendly and open in a way that made Sera's chest ache.

This girl had no idea she was befriending a weapon.

"The work isn't too bad once you get used to it," Rosie said as they climbed the stairs back to their rooms. "Elder Moira is fair, and the Alpha pays well. Some of us have been here for years. It's a good place."

"It seems like it," Sera said softly.

They reached Sera's door, and Rosie hesitated. "Are you okay? You seem... sad."

For a moment, Sera considered telling the truth. *I lost my mate six months ago, and it destroyed me. I'm here to seduce your Alpha and ruin everything you love about this place.*

Instead, she smiled tiredly. "Just exhausted. It's been a long day."

"Get some rest," Rosie said kindly. "Tomorrow comes early. Five AM sharp!"

After Rosie left, Sera closed her door and leaned against it, breathing carefully.

She'd done it. She was inside. She had a room, a role, access to the estate.

Tomorrow, she'd begin mapping the household, learning routines, identifying opportunities. Tomorrow, she'd start positioning herself to eventually cross paths with Alpha Kael.

Tomorrow, the real work began.

Sera changed into pajamas and lay in the narrow bed, staring at the ceiling. The room was quiet except for distant sounds of the house settling, muffled conversations from down the hall, the wind in the trees outside.

She reached for her wolf, hoping for some response, some guidance.

Nothing. Just silence and emptiness.

"I can do this alone," she whispered to the darkness. "I have to."

She closed her eyes, but sleep was elusive. Instead, she lay awake planning, calculating, preparing for the war she was about to wage.

Somewhere in this massive estate, Alpha Kael Stormridge slept, unaware that his doom had arrived.

And Sera lay in the darkness, a weapon waiting to be deployed, thinking about revenge and death and the man whose life she was going to destroy.

Six weeks until the mating ceremony.

Six weeks to seduce an Alpha, break an engagement, and orchestrate a massacre.

The clock was ticking.

And Sera had work to do.

The alarm shattered the darkness at four-thirty AM.

Sera jerked awake, disoriented for a moment about where she was. Then memory crashed back-Silvermoon Estate, her first day, the beginning of everything.

She dressed quickly in the simple black dress and white apron that Elder Moira had left folded outside her door last night. The uniform was practical and modest, designed to make the wearer fade into the background. Perfect.

She pulled her dark hair into a neat bun, applied minimal makeup, and studied herself in the small mirror above the dresser. The woman looking back was unremarkable. Forgettable. Just another servant among dozens.

Exactly what she needed to be.

For now.

The hallway was already showing signs of life-she could hear water running in the communal bathroom, quiet footsteps, muffled voices. The household was waking up.

Sera made her way downstairs, following the path Rosie had shown her last night. The massive estate was different in the pre-dawn darkness-shadowy and gothic, full of corners and corridors that could hide secrets. She memorized every turn, every door, every window. Knowledge was power, and she needed every advantage she could get.

The kitchen was already bustling when she arrived. Margaret was at the stove, cooking what smelled like bacon and eggs. Several other staff members were preparing trays, organizing supplies, moving with the efficient choreography of people who'd done this a thousand times.

"Morning, new girl," Margaret called without looking up. "Coffee's fresh. Get yourself a cup and something to eat. Breakfast is at five-thirty, but we eat in shifts during prep."

Sera poured coffee into a chipped mug and accepted a plate of eggs and toast from one of the kitchen assistants. She ate standing up at the counter, observing the organized chaos around her.

Elder Moira appeared at precisely five-fifteen, clipboard in hand, looking as crisp and alert as if it weren't the middle of the night.

"Morning, everyone," she said briskly. "Sera, you're with Rosie today. She'll show you the morning routine and your assigned areas. The formal rooms need attention-we have potential allies visiting this afternoon, and the Alpha wants everything perfect."

"Yes, ma'am," Sera said quietly.

Rosie bounced into the kitchen a moment later, her curls barely contained by her own white cap. "Morning! Ready for your first day?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," Sera replied, managing a small smile.

"Don't worry, it's mostly straightforward," Rosie said, grabbing cleaning supplies from a large closet. "We start with the main floor-formal dining room, sitting rooms, the Alpha's study if he's not using it. Then we move upstairs to the guest suites. East wing is mostly empty right now, but it needs to stay clean for when we have visitors."

She handed Sera a caddy filled with cleaning supplies, cloths, and polishes.

"The big rule," Rosie continued as they headed toward the main part of the house, "is that we're invisible. If you see the Alpha or Miss Celeste or any ranked pack members, you step aside, keep your head down, don't make eye contact unless they speak to you directly. We're here to serve, not to be noticed."

Invisible. Sera could do invisible.

They emerged from the servants' corridors into the main house, and despite herself, Sera caught her breath.

It was beautiful.

High ceilings with exposed timber beams. Stone walls softened by tapestries and artwork. Large windows that would let in floods of natural light once the sun rose. Furniture that managed to be both elegant and comfortable-this was a home, not just a showpiece.

"It's something, isn't it?" Rosie said, noticing Sera's reaction. "The Alpha's family has lived here for generations. Some of this furniture is over a hundred years old."

They started in the formal dining room-a massive space with a table that could easily seat thirty people. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and oil paintings of previous Alphas lined the walls.

"These are all past leaders of Silvermoon," Rosie explained, gesturing to the portraits as she began dusting. "That's the current Alpha's father, and his grandfather before that. The Stormridge line goes back almost two hundred years."

Sera studied the paintings as she worked. She could see the family resemblance-strong features, dark hair, those distinctive grey eyes. Men who looked like they'd been born to command.

They worked in efficient silence for a while, the rhythm almost meditative. Sera let her body go through the familiar motions-she'd worked enough service jobs in the past six months to know the routine-while her mind catalogued everything. Exits. Windows. The layout of rooms. Where valuable items were kept. Where security was lax.

"The Alpha usually comes down around six," Rosie said as they moved to the sitting room. "He trains with the warriors from six to seven-thirty, then showers and has breakfast at eight. If we time it right, we can clean his study while he's out."

"Does he spend a lot of time in his study?" Sera asked, keeping her tone casual.

"Hours," Rosie confirmed. "Pack business, you know. Paperwork, video calls with other Alphas, meetings with the council. Being an Alpha isn't all strength and glory-there's a lot of boring administrative work."

They were dusting the sitting room when Sera heard it-footsteps on the stairs, heavy and purposeful. Male. The distinctive cadence of someone who moved with absolute confidence in their own space.

"That's him," Rosie whispered, grabbing her caddy. "Come on, we need to be invisible."

They pressed themselves against the wall near the doorway as the footsteps approached. Sera kept her head down, eyes on the floor, every muscle in her body tense.

This was it. Her first moment in the same space as Marcus's killer.

The footsteps passed the doorway without pausing. She caught a glimpse of him in her peripheral vision-tall, powerfully built, wearing workout clothes, dark hair still damp from a shower.

And then he was gone, heading toward what Rosie had said was the east training courtyard.

Sera realized she'd been holding her breath. She let it out slowly, waiting for some reaction. Fear. Hatred. Her wolf stirring with recognition of a powerful Alpha.

Nothing.

Just the same hollow emptiness she'd felt for six months. Her wolf remained silent, buried so deep that not even an Alpha's presence could reach her.

Good. Emotional detachment would make this easier.

"You okay?" Rosie asked. "You look pale."

"Fine," Sera managed. "Just... he's intimidating."

"All Alphas are," Rosie said sympathetically. "But like I said, he's fair. You'll get used to his presence."

*I'll do more than get used to it*, Sera thought. *I'll make him need my presence. Crave it.*

But not yet. First, she needed to be invisible.