Not once had he offered me a place within its leadership. He claimed he loved that I stayed home, that I kept our den warm and comfortable. I believed him. I swallowed his excuses. I didn’t see the poison creeping in until Brielle arrived and he began praising her every sunrise.
Stopping in front of the towering glass structure, I felt a mixture of pride and grief. My efforts had shaped this empire, yet my name was nowhere on it.
I entered the lift rune and ascended to the top floor. As I stepped out, the receptionist—an Omega wolf with a soft smile—looked up and bowed her head respectfully.
“Good morning, Luna. Alpha Gideon hasn’t returned yet,” she informed me.
I inclined my head. “It’s fine. I’ll wait for him.”
Walking past her, I pushed open the door to Gideon’s office—and froze.
Brielle lounged in Gideon’s chair like she owned the place, her long leg draped across his desk, tapping playfully against his stack of documents. The moment she caught sight of me, she flinched, scrambling upright. Her false sweetness rushed over her like a mask she practiced in the mirror.
“L-Luna Selene,” she stammered, bowing her head. “My apologies. I was only waiting for Alpha Gideon.”