The next morning, I ate breakfast peacefully. I made small conversation with the wolves surrounding me, sat beside Eliza and rejoiced about how good the patio looked with fresh eyes. Standing on the patio alone, I hugged an iced coffee to my chest as the rest of the pack went about their morning.

Of course, I had a plan.

My calm and open demeanour was merely a mask to hide what was going on inside my head. I finally wanted to speak to Asra regarding his employees' lack of payment and rewards. I knew that every morning he had a meeting with Rio, his beta, where they discussed the previous day and current events. Rio would leave his meeting and go for a run in the morning.

All I merely had to do was wait for a moment alone with Asra, one where if I was to fail, I could use the mate mark in my favour. As I waited for Rio to leave, I sat on the swing and grinned over my cup. I had a notepad with me, already full of points and facts that I had drawn up whilst they spent an hour together talking crap. I did not have the hearing shifters possessed, so I would have to rely on my strongest sense; sight.

Time passed peacefully as I waited, and eventually I heard the front door click open. Casting my eyes up, Rio stepped out of the threshold, shutting the door softly behind him. His eyes appraised the clean patio before settling on the place where I lay waiting.

"Good morning, Ailia. Out here alone?" He wondered.

I knew I wasn't alone. Asra had eyes everywhere. He thought I was dumb enough to not notice them.

I shrugged, smiling at Rio. "Not if you're here."

His jaw clenched nervously, a shaky laugh escaping him. "Afraid not. I'm going for my morning run."

"Oh, really?" I wondered, faux interested. "I'm more of a walking person."

He nodded, dropping his gaze to the mark on my neck. I had tied my hair up today, knowing it would get Asra's attention. Piper had told me that showing off a mark was a matter of pride for wolves, and it would definitely get Asra's hormones riled up.

"Walking is just as refreshing. You'll have to have a proper tour of the grounds one day." He insisted, and I quirked an eyebrow.

"Is that an invitation?"

He smirked, shaking his head. "No, merely a statement, Luna."

There it is, the title card.

I exhaled loudly, shaking my head. "Have a pleasant run, Rio."

He nodded, losing his smile as he took off toward the forest. I watched him go, disappearing into the sparse trees until he was a mere speck. I wondered if I was a wolf. Would I still see him right now? Would my vision be so strong to see that far through the dark trees? Could my ears pick up on the sound of his steps and ragged breaths as he ran?

Silly thoughts get girls in trouble, my mother would say.

I shook my head before rising from the swing, my half-finished coffee still in hand. I luckily remembered my way to Asra's office and leisurely wandered my way there. I didn't want to draw attention to myself; being human with an Alpha's mark already did enough of that.

Reaching the large wooden door, I raised my fist to knock. I could picture him inside, smirking as he noticed my presence. A small call of entry met my weak ears, and I inhaled deeply before pushing the heavy door open. I grunted with the effort, unused to a door of this size and weight. As soon as there was a gap small enough, I slithered my way through sideways.

"Tulip, what do I owe the pleasure?"

I spun around to face him, happy to find him alone. I smiled at him as I made my way to sit in the chair before his desk, running my eyes along the contents that lay before him. He had a computer to his left, a hefty pile of paper in front of him, with a black fountain pen hanging lazily in his right hand.

"I wanted to talk to you about something." I shrugged.

"And you wanted to do this now?" He wondered, quirking an eyebrow. "Not over breakfast or when we lay in bed together?"

"No, that would be inappropriate."

"Oh, would it?" He hummed, placing a lid on his pen.

"Yes, because what I want to talk about is of business matter."

"Is this about our bet?" He grinned, leaning forward in his chair.

I cringed at the sound of the leather squeaking beneath his jeans, shaking my head to diffuse the noise. "No, it's about something else."

He leaned back in his chair at my admittance, crossing his hands on his stomach. "Well, you have my attention, Tulip."

"It's about the awful way you run things around here." I stated, holding his gaze. "It is rather barbaric."

His eyes narrowed, his body tensing and losing the lax amused expression. "Tread carefully here Tulip, we are animal as much as we are human."

"That is not what I mean. You need to draw up better employment contracts and wages for your employees." I stood, slamming the notepad on the desk.

He visibly flinched, a low growl escaping his lips. I shook my head, placing both of my hands on the desk and leaning forward. I had worn a low cut top, revealing the abundance of fatty tissue men seemed to adore so much. Successfully, Asra's eyes dropped to the tight tank top before falling to the short floaty skirt I wore to match. I knew the male gaze, so I was happy when my plan worked well.

"You have my attention." He hummed, meeting my eyes again.

I grinned triumphantly, opening the notepad to the first eligible page. Half of the book was full of my inner thoughts and facts that I had learnt whilst being here. The only pad of paper I had found, so it had to be used for everything.

"Great." I grinned, spinning the book around. "First, why do you employ humans to clean up after your lazy sorts of a pack?"

His eyes narrowed again. "They want to work."

I scoffed. "They have to work or they will die out there."

"You lived in Evermore, you do not know the extent of their lives. We well enabled the sectors." He shook his head.

He wasn't Asra right now. This was Alpha Zenith I was speaking to, Alpha of the Cardinal Pack.

"And when was the last time you went to visit all the sectors?" I cocked my head. "I may not have seen them, but I have lived and spoken to those who have. Serenity is half wolf, and yet she works for you! So what is it, the weaker species are only good as slaves? Is that where I lie?"

"You are different." He scoffed.

I was the one to glare this time. "Do you only listen to what you want to hear?"

His silence was my answer, his haughty demeanour not fazing me. He could try to intimidate me all he wanted, but I didn't feel the least bit afraid.

"Second, it is a matter of money." I continued. "I know now personally just how much money you claim to have, through the fact I have an infinite amount of money for shopping. You own multiple packs with multiple income sources. You are a rich and proud man."

His chest puffed up, but I didn't give him the change to respond as I continued.

"However, you only pay the humans two coins per day." I glared. "The chefs start at five in the morning, sometimes early, cook the entire pack three meals a day with no doubt hardly any breaks. So a fourteen hour day, minimum. Two coins a day is barely enough."

"It is enough to buy them at least dinner."

Same old comment.

I shook my head. "You don't understand, Asra. Let me dumb it down for you."

He growled at my sarcasm, his eyes darkening. "Ailia... They work because they want to."

"Two coins, when a meal is one coin! According to Piper, housing costs ten coins a week. A further three for the use of water, gas and electricity, and groceries cost at least six coins a week for one person. They should be able to buy themselves new clothing, not shiver in their lonely cabins through the winter months." I explained, never blinking away from his glare. "So, doing the maths, that's fourteen coins income. Costs for one meal a day each week is twenty coins alone. If they were to eat three times a day, which is normal and healthy, that's another fourteen, making it thirty-four coins. That's twenty coins short. They do not work because they want to, they work because they have to."

"That is enough." He growled, sitting upright. "You do not get to tell me what to do with my staff."

"Yes, I do." I snapped. "If I am your supposed mate for life and future luna of this pack, then I have every damn right to fucking tell you where you are wrong."

He didn't recoil like I thought he would, instead he slowly rose from his chair. Placing both of his hands on the desk, he leaned forward until our faces were barely two inches apart. The wood creaked beneath his weight; his breath hot as he bared his teeth.

"You do not get to speak to me like that." He growled lowly.

"You do not get to control who I am," I retaliated, not moving away. "I am a human. If this was me, Asra, I would've killed myself long ago."

He finally flinched, moving his face back a further inch. His eyebrows furrowed, black eyes frantically scanning my face. But my words were truthful, and I knew he would find nothing but my determination.

"So, what are you going to do about it?"

Asra growled again, moving away from me. The wood cracked and creaked as he pushed from it, straightening his shirt and clearing his throat.

"As with every formal complaint, I shall put it forward to the council."

"Council?" I cocked my head.

He smirked wickedly. "Yes, Luna, every continental Alpha has a council whom he has to go through to change major dynamics. Multiple packs mean multiple voices."

I would have to plead my case to multiple wolves? I wasn't so sure about that, but I wasn't letting go of the upper hand I had over this conversation.

"I will create wonderful documents for everyone to read." I grinned, batting my lashes.

Pushing myself away from the table, I exaggerated, stretching my arms above my head. I succeeded in tightening my shirt and showing off my stomach, holding his gaze. Dropping my arms; I ran my fingers along my bare neck, barely missing his claim. He did well to not let his gaze wander, blinking at me with tightened fists. The mate bond was warm in my chest, tightening my core with a vengeance.

"I will see you at dinner, Alpha." I smirked, grabbing my notepad and walking away.

I would not give him another damn word. He was so cocky and egotistical, I could just... ugh. Slap that damn smirk off his face. He thought he was winning, but he had another thing coming his way.

I let out a frustrated grunt as I pulled the door open, leaving a lot harder than entering. The damn cocky male behind me didn't move, but I didn't want him to. I hauled that door with all of my strength before running through the gap. Exhaling my nerves, I straightened my clothes before walking down the halls.

My eyes wandered aimlessly, smiling at any passing person to hide the fact I was fuming on the inside. I wanted to go for a swim, but I knew they would follow me. A blonde-haired person seemed to be the face I catch glimpses of through the hedges.

As I passed by the kitchen, my nose caught the scent of a burning pan; possibly a tomato dish. My nose scrunched up with disgust. I turned around and went right into the kitchen. It was chaos; small women running around in white outfits as a middle-age woman stood by one of the large cookers. She was angry; her pale face noticabley red with frustration.

I knew right away she was in charge and made my way over to her. Her brown eyes darted to me, equal in height.

"Is everything okay?"

Her nose scrunched up, scrutinising me. I remained still as she studied me, not letting her snooty face bother me.

"Fine." She turned to dismiss me.

"Smells like someone's burnt some tomato..." I commented, glancing around.

"I lost a chef to norovirus and everyone else is incapable of tying their own shoes." She grunted, turning her gaze back to me to scan me again. "What did you say your name was?"

"I didn't." I grinned. "But it's Ailia."

She frowned, nodding. "Well, Ailia, can you cook?"

"Yep, I sure can. I was a waitress in my old town, before I became chef." I nodded.

"Very well. Grab an apron and get to work." She waved to behind me.

"I'd be delighted to..."

"Stephanie." She grunted again before turning back to the hobs.

I grinned, shrugging on an apron and placing the notepad securely in the large pocket that lay across my hips. Washing my hands, I wiped them dry on a towel before moving to help Stephanie. I was excited to have something to do, to keep my hands busy and mind numb. Perhaps if Stephanie liked me so much, I could come back every day and help with cooking.

Who needed a bet to get a job when I could just sweet talk my way into one? Well... more like smart-talk my way into one.

******

Hey guys, I've written a guest blog post for Wattpad!!

Dive into the creation process behind Nova from 'Lost Luna' & learn how a protagonist springs to life and the significance of drawing from personal experiences. Check it out now via the creators portal. Link is on my message board, linktree, and instagram, too!