Gina

I hit the cold marble floor with a loud thud the moment the person released me. A harsh cough tore through my chest, burning my throat raw as I gasped for air.

“Don’t you dare lay your filthy human hands on the king, you weak imbecile,” the bitch spat at me.

I lifted my head, tears stinging my eyes as she moved to stand beside the king.

“Get me someone else, now, you moron!” the king barked at the director, his voice echoing through the room.

The director fumbled with his phone, his fingers trembling as he hurried to call doctors from the hospital.

I stayed where I was, knees on the floor, one hand clutching my throat which still burned like fire. I tried to muffle my coughing, hoping they would all just forget I was still there.

Now that I had a moment to think, I couldn’t survive a single day in this place. Too many rules and too many dangers unlike the human world.

I cursed under my breath, silently blaming Eric for ever recommending me for this job.

Maybe he only found out later that it was for the Alpha King and that would explain why he had warned me not to take it. And stupid me, I thought it was a golden opportunity, a blessing in disguise.

Or maybe none of this was his doing, maybe the director had lied about Eric recommending me, desperate to find anyone willing to work for the king after everyone else refused.

The director’s shaky voice broke through my thoughts, snapping me back to the chaos around me.

“I have tried calling, but most of our doctors aren’t available,” the director stammered, his fingers twitching nervously around his phone.

“And the few that are, they are not competent for this task. The only one I can recommend is.. uh..unconscious right now. I… I don’t know if you can wait for him to wake up.”

God, I thought as much, of course they were all avoiding the Alpha King. Who in their right mind would volunteer to work for a man like him?

And me? I desperately walked right into the lion’s den. Knowing Eric, he would rather stay unconscious forever than take this assignment.

That left the director, the manipulative bastard who had made me believe this was some once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, fully aware everyone else had turned it down.

“I assure you, she’s very competent,” the director said quickly, forcing a shaky smile and gesturing toward me. “One of our best. She can be a little clumsy, but she’s capable.”

What the hell?! I thought I was finally free from this nightmare.

I rose to my feet slowly, one hand pressed against my throat in exaggerated pain. “I will take my leave now,” I said, my voice raspy. “I need to go treat this and honestly, I don’t think I’m competent enough to take this job.”

I turned toward the door, hoping to make my escape before anyone could stop me.

“Stop.” The king said with a commanding voice. “You are coming with us,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Whatever you need, write it down. Someone will fetch your things from your apartment. Give your address to Declan.”

He gestured towards the same man who had nearly choked the life out of me minutes ago. Fantastic, just fantastic.

I swallowed hard and nodded, still clutching my neck dramatically, even though the pain had mostly faded.

“Let’s go,” the Alpha ordered, turning to lead the way.

The woman beside him shoved me forward roughly, her glare sharp. I stumbled but caught myself falling into step behind the Alpha.

Before stepping out, I turned one last time to look at the director. His expression was full of guilt. Pathetic idiot, as if that would undo the mess he had thrown me into.

I glared back, silently promising that if I survived whatever hell this was, I’d make him regret every bit of it.

We drove for what felt like forever, leaving the city far behind until the skyline disappeared completely.

The Central Pack was located on the outskirts, miles away from civilization, in the wild.

Werewolves preferred isolation, I had learned they lived close to the forest, away from human eyes.

The few who did live among humans were the Rogues and from what I had heard, they were the worst kind of wolves. Unpredictable and dangerous.

When we finally reached the massive iron gate marking the pack’s territory, my jaw nearly dropped. The guards stepped aside immediately, bowing as the Alpha’s car rolled in.

What lay beyond the gate was nothing like what I expected. Tall, elegant buildings surrounded the wide pack grounds. Everything looked modern and luxurious. It wasn’t some primitive village like the stories said, it was a private kingdom.

The car finally came to a stop in front of a grand mansion that looked like it had been pulled straight out of a royal magazine, three stories high, marble walls, with pillars.

We stepped out, and Declan, the man who had almost strangled me earlier, gestured for me to follow. I trailed behind them quietly as we climbed the long staircase leading to the upper floor.

At the end of the hallway, the Alpha dismissed the woman and Declan with a curt nod. When he opened a large double door, I hesitated a moment before stepping in behind him.

The room was breathtaking, lavish, soft, and serene. My eyes fell instantly to the bed.

Lying there was a young woman, frail, pale and motionless. Her face was peaceful, her long dark hair spread neatly on the pillow as if she were simply sleeping.

“This is my sister,” the Alpha said, his voice deep but detached. “You will be taking care of her. The director must have given you her details. All I need from you is to make sure she receives proper care while I am away.”

I glanced from him to the woman on the bed. Something about her stillness unsettled me, she had been trapped in that state for years.

“I was told there’s already a nurse assigned to her,” I said softly. “Can I meet her, please?”

The Alpha King stepped in front of me. I tried to back away, but he closed the distance with another step and his hand shot out, gripping my neck. Not again, please, not again.

“I can see you are too used to the human world,” he snarled, his voice low and dangerous.

“You think you can order the King around? Talk back to me? Touch me?” His eyes glowed faintly, his fangs bared. “This is not your human world. One single mistake, and I will rip your head off your body and no one will dare question me, not even your president.”

My heartbeat slammed wildly against my chest. Whatever attraction I had felt seeing him up and close vanished, replaced by raw fear for my life.

“I... I am really sorry, sir,” I managed to whisper, forcing the words past the tightness in my throat. I dared not touch his hand again, one wrong move and he might actually snap my neck.

He held me there for another agonizing second before speaking again. “I am putting you in charge of my sister.

You will make sure she is well cared for and lacks nothing. Fail me,” he growled, his eyes narrowing, “and you will regret ever taking this job.”

Then he released me, I collapsed to the floor, gasping for air as he turned away.