CHAPTER 5 - PROMOTION

*MIKAYLA’S POV*

Tremors filled my insides as I knocked on the door of the second study, west of the pack house. Closing my eyes, I inhaled sharply to quiet my nerves, though the rapid drumming of my heart prevailed. Lowering my head, I longingly stared at the door handle in my hand before entering the room.

“Is this her?”

After entering the room, I stood the standardized seven feet from the seated Luna. My hands were to my sides, fidgeting with my uniform. The heat of the Luna’s gaze filtered into the room, and multiplied my anxiety.

“Yes, Luna,” Cecilia answered.

My head was slightly raised to acknowledge the beautiful black hair Luna before me. She sat with her legs crossed on the white leather love seat. Matron Cecilia ceremoniously stood at her left side, overlapping her hands.

Luna Phoebe had a clean complexion and highlighted her blue eyes with beige eye shadow and black winged eyeliner. Nude lip gloss painted her full lips and she wore a slim-fitted denim dress with a turn-down collar and vintage metal buttoned down front with belt.

“Why do you look so untidy and beaten?” Luna Phoebe inquired. Her normally bright eyes wore a dulling concern as they inspected my physique.

“I fell down the basement stairs.” I did not wish to tell her that Warrior Pam had attacked me earlier. Pam would lie her way out of it, anyway. They would probably accept her account of events which would lead to punishment. I clutched my hands to stop them from shaking.

Luna Phoebe’s eyes fixed on me, she tilted her head to the side as though she was reading me. “Is she a clumsy one?”

“No, Luna,” Matron Cecilia added with a half-smile, “She is very hardworking and will not slack in her duties.”

On hearing her praise, the heaviness seated on my heart lifted. I was surprised that the matron would speak this highly about me to the Luna, even though her words were true.

“Leave us,” she told the matron.

Now, nervousness plagued me. To be alone with the Luna was petrifying. Jumbled thoughts clouded my mind. I wondered if she desired me to be her new omega to clean the Alpha’s suite or office daily.

At the pack house, there was tons of work to conduct daily, because the residence had to maintain its cleanliness and splendor like a hotel. Being given the floor of the Alpha family would therefore be a disaster because everyday diligence was required with little margin for error.

She did not speak until I heard the door close behind me, “What is your full name?”

Yep, this sounded like an interview. At least I wasn’t in trouble because the matron would have stayed and administered the disciplinary method. Without making eye contact, I answered softly “Mikayla Redridge, Luna.”

“Did you really fall down the stairs, Mikayla?” She sized me up.

Lying to the Luna was punishable, so I chose to be direct, “No, Luna. I-I had an altercation with an old friend. I’m sorry that we fought in the pack house.”

She sips her drink and gives me a stern look, “Do you always fight with this particular friend? What is the relationship between the two of you?”

With quivering lips, I mumbled, “A misunderstanding destroyed our friendship.”

“Who is the person?”

Immediately, I fell to my knees with my forehead touching the floor, “Luna, I beg you not to interfere. I will take the punishment for both of us.”

“Is that how you think it’s going to be?” Her Luna aura spilled out to surround me, engulfing me in its tightness.

“Please Luna, I….” I trembled in fear and wanted this topic changed. Swallowing convulsively, I continued, “It was my fault. I provoked her.”

I wasn’t expecting her to say, “Rise, and have a seat.”

Happy to be off my knees, I sat in the armchair furthest from her, drying my sweaty palms into my uniform.

“Your makeup is ghastly,” Luna observed and was unamused, “I expect you to wipe off that ridiculous mask from your face.”

Using my hands, I gently wiped my face so that much of the powder would be removed. I imagined that my face looked terrible after that effort, unless it was washed.

“My son lives at the cottage in the woods. I fear that he might need a womanly touch around the house. Living with his male officers cannot be good.” She tells me, taking another sip from her glass. “As of today, you will work for me at the cottage. It will be your responsibility to ensure that it runs smoothly.”

My ears were hot from hearing this news as my eyes widened and my lips tightened. It could be considered a promotion of some sort.

“Yes, Luna.” I’m terrified because the young Alpha was not easy to deal with. He was ill-tempered and a monster. Rarely have I seen the handsome demon, but countless tales of his brutality are disseminated around the pack.

“He must have daily cooked meals,” She paused, taking up her mobile from the side table, “As a matter of fact, I will send your job description. Do you have a phone?”

“Yes, Luna,” With shame, I took out my chappy android phone that had cracks on the screen from my pocket.

She sighed at the sight of my vandalized device. “I will have Matron provide you with a proper phone. You will need to pack your things and reside at the cottage. You may call upon omega Nikki at least twice per week to assist you there.”

Pursing my lips, I hoped to obscure my consternation. I did not think that I was doing a good job because I was sure that my tremors were visible. Her eyes glazed over and I knew she was mind-linking, someone.

“We will have dinner later. I will summon you when I announce to Heron of your new post.” Referring to my appearance, she warned, “Do not let me see you looking like a rat that a truck ran over again.”

I nodded. Words were at a loss because I was not over the shock of working directly under the Alpha. Was my life about to improve or deteriorate?

“Take the rest of the day off to gather your things,” She instructed in finality, “You may go.”

Bowing, I uttered, “Thank you, Luna,” and left the room. Finally, I could breathe normally. Being in her presence was very suffocating. Though she was nice, her presence was too intimidating for me.

Popularity was overrated. I liked being in the shadows and that was one reason for me to do my job well. Once I got everything done, no one would have to see me or take notice of me, until today. Omegas were not favored and can be subjected to bullying like what Pam did to me and got away with.

Quickly, I went to the changing room in the basement to get out of my uniform. My tattered backpack would not be able to carry all of my clothes. Some garbage bags might have to contain the rest of my stuff unless the orphanage loans me two. I helped at the orphanage on my day off, so they allowed me to room and board there at a meager fee.

I walked across the pack house grounds until I got to the main road, waiting for a cab. My thoughts drifted to everything that my Luna had told me. Dread slithers through me and I worry about making blunders. The Alpha was not likable. He was grouchy and always in a foul mood. Should he be hard to please, punishments from him would be horrifying, and I might not survive. My hands reflexively covered my throat as I visualized him ripping it out.

Damn! I am cursed. I’m convinced that the moon goddess was angry at my bloodline. I would rather withstand Pam’s assault than be in this adverse situation. My mind felt fatigued and I prayed that tomorrow would never come.

A brown sedan stopped at my feet. I scowled when I saw who the driver was.

“Hop in,” he commands with a broad smile, “I’ll take you home.”

“No thanks, Archie.” I was not walking into that trap. Pam would be able to smell my scent if I rode in his car. Who knows how much harm Pam will do to me the next time she comes after me?

Frowning, he responds sympathetically, “I heard what Pam did to you. I am sorry that she’s that way.”

“Isn’t that your fault?” I gritted. It was disrespectful for me to speak to him in this manner. He was a warrior and, therefore, my superior. Only, Pam won't stop mistreating me until he starts to avoid me. “Stop talking to me. Just go and leave me alone.”

“I want us to be friends, Mika,” he muttered suggestively. “I could tell Pam to stop attacking you if we were friends.”

“Don’t call me that!” I retorted. The shortening of my name was only for people who cared about me, and those were few or zero to be exact. “Please stop trifling me. Go and chase a rogue.”

He snickered and gave an arrogant smirk, “You’ll change your mind soon.” The sedan leaves me in smoke, coughing as the smoky fume engulfs me.

Another ten minutes and a cab picked me up. Once at my destination, I explained to the orphanage director about my new job as the Alpha’s maid. That’s exactly what I am now. My phone beeped and I got a message:

Matron: Be at the pack house by five o’clock and collect a new phone from me. Be properly dressed and cleanly attired. You will meet the Alpha family at dinner.

Me: Yes, Matron.

Getting busy, I packed and took a short nap. The alarm woke me up and I grabbed a shower, then headed to the pack house to be officially introduced to the devil.