Sienna handed a thick stack of handover documents to Victoria, her movements robotic. Despite being a low-ranking Omega, she maintained her dignity, even as the bond-tear felt like it was ripping her heart in two.
Victoria twirled a lock of her hair, her sweet, artificial scent filling the room as she watched Sienna with a calculating gaze.
"Sienna, Silvermoon is so powerful. Why would you ever choose exile?" Victoria asked with feigned innocence.
Sienna didn't look up. "Personal reasons."
"What a pity," Victoria giggled. "Alpha Silas is the most charming leader I've ever met. Yesterday, he even said he wanted me to move into the Alpha's private floor in the Pack House."
The words were like a rusted blade twisting in Sienna's heart. So soon? she thought. Alpha Silas, you really can be... so thoughtful for those you actually value.
Victoria was about to gloat further when a violent, bloody Alpha aura tore through the office defenses. Alpha Lucian of the Bloodfang Pack strode in.
"Secretary Sienna, long time no see." Lucian stepped closer, his aggressive eyes locked onto her like a predator. "Let's have lunch. We need to discuss the 'details' of our cooperation."
Sienna froze, the instinctual fear of a high-ranking predator nearly paralyzing her. She forced a professional smile. "Alpha Lucian, how unfortunate. I have to accompany my Alpha on a border inspection today. Perhaps another time."
Lucian narrowed his crimson eyes. "An inspection? The moment I arrive? Sienna, you wouldn't be lying to me, would you?"
"I wouldn't dare," Sienna said, taking a cautious step back.
Suddenly, Victoria spoke up, her voice loud and full of mock surprise. "Sienna? I didn't know the Alpha had an inspection today. Besides, aren't you being exiled the moment you finish your handover this afternoon?"
Sienna spun around, staring at Victoria in horror.
Lucian's face darkened instantly. He realized this Omega was using the Lycan King as a shield to play him. He lunged, his hand clamping around her arm like an iron trap, his Alpha strength nearly crushing her bones.
"Sienna! You dare play me?!" Lucian roared.
In that heartbeat, a terrifying pressure descended. Silas walked out of his office like a dark god, his golden eyes cold. "What is going on?"
Sienna felt like she had found a lifeline. "Alpha..." she cried out through the Mind-link, a desperate, agonizing plea. Help me... please...
Silas heard her. The wolf within him was howling to shred Lucian for touching her, but his poisonous pride refused to let him submit to an Omega who had "betrayed" him.
Victoria hurried to his side. "Alpha Silas, Sienna just told Alpha Lucian she was accompanying you on an inspection. I didn't remember that on the schedule... did I get it wrong?"
Silas looked down at Sienna, who was pinned in Lucian's grip. A cruel, mocking smile touched his lips.
"Sienna, I don't recall any inspection, nor do I recall a meeting," Silas said, his voice devoid of heat. "I taught you for five years, but it seems I never taught you how to speak the truth. You are a disgrace to the Silvermoon Pack!"
A disgrace. The word shattered the last piece of her soul.
"Since you're leaving today anyway, get out now!" Silas delivered the final verdict.
The pain from the Mate Bond at that moment was sharper than the sound of her arm bones cracking under Lucian's grip. The high-and-mighty Lycan King had, once again, personally pushed his mate into the abyss.