SERAPHINA'S POV:

The gossamer fabric clung to my curves, and my pale skin glowed faintly in the candlelight. With my naturally cold and timid demeanor, I looked like a fallen moon spirit—a sight meant to entice.

The guards had said the Alpha Heir was still working in his study. I waited for a full two hours before heavy footsteps echoed outside.

The doors swung open. Gideon Carlisle stepped into the room. Earlier today, his mother, Matriarch Isadora, had mentioned sending a servant to his bed, but he clearly hadn't expected to find me already waiting in his private chambers. His dark brows furrowed slightly.

I looked up at exactly the right moment. My violet eyes were shimmering, carrying a perfect balance of shyness and submission, meeting his gaze directly.

But Gideon just stood there. He looked at me with the same calm indifference one might use to appraise a piece of furniture. There was no lust, no surprise in his eyes—only a cold, almost detached scrutiny.

His oppressive Alpha aura made my chest tighten. Biting my lip, I forced myself to stand. "Alpha Heir... please allow me to help you out of your clothes."

As I approached him, a flush warming my cheeks, Gideon actually took a step back.

Everyone in the Pack knew he was a man who lived by rules. He visited his Luna, Eleanor, during the full moon, and his other females on strictly scheduled days. I knew that if he accepted me, a breeder Omega, it would mean adding another exhausting obligation to his routine.

Rutting without purpose drained energy, and Gideon was clearly unwilling. Just as he opened his mouth, undoubtedly to dismiss me, a knock came at the door.

Agatha’s voice filtered through. "Alpha Heir, the Matriarch ordered me to bring you the Elk-Blood and Moon-Herb elixir."

It was a potent Alpha stamina brew. It was Isadora’s way of forcing his hand.

Gideon let out a quiet sigh. It was no secret how obsessed his mother was with getting a grandson, especially since his younger half-brother already had two pups, parading them around the Keep daily to flaunt in front of the Matriarch.

"Leave the elixir, Agatha. Tell my mother I understand," Gideon replied, his voice deep and resigned.

Agatha’s receding footsteps sounded almost cheerful; she clearly knew her master would never outright defy his mother's wishes regarding the Pack's lineage.

Once she was gone, Gideon turned his cold gaze back to me. "Let's get to bed, then."

He raised his arms, waiting for me to undress him.

Having served in the Matriarch’s quarters, I was used to this. I stepped forward, my hands moving deftly to remove his heavy outer coat, secretly studying him as I did.

In my past life, I had never dared to look at him. The other maids always whispered about his god-like beauty. Seeing him up close now, the rumors were true. Sharp jawline, eyes like midnight, a physique carved from granite. If I had to endure this to change my fate, at least the man I was serving was breathtaking.

After removing his shirt, I gently untied my own sheer outer robe. It slipped to the floor, leaving me in nothing but a crimson silk camisole embroidered with delicate lace.

The vibrant red contrasted sharply with my milky skin. My chest heaved slightly, the delicate curves of my body fully exposed—a living, breathing painting of temptation.

Any other male in the Pack would have lost their minds and tackled me to the rugs. But Gideon wasn't a normal man. He barely spared my body a glance, his eyes quickly returning to their icy calm.

Just as I was frantically wondering what my next move should be, he reached out, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me under the heavy furs of the bed.

Under the heavy velvet canopy, I threw my arms around Gideon, pulling him close.

I was actually quite pleased at this moment. Secretly, I slipped a small, specially treated piece of white cloth under the pillows—my proof of the night. Even though, as a designated breeder Omega, I wasn't strictly required to present proof of consummation to the Matriarch or his official mate, my past life had taught me to always leave a backup plan. Even when serving the Alpha Heir, I couldn't afford to leave any loopholes for my enemies.

SERAPHINA'S POV:

Gideon didn't say anything as he positioned himself over me. My smile was still plastered on my face, but a second later, it completely vanished.

His posture was rigid, almost more textbook than a medical manual. Those glacial blue eyes held absolutely zero lust or emotion. It made my entire body stiffen.

Wait... do his mates not require any tenderness at all?

I've been given a second chance at life. Is it too much to ask to enjoy this at least a little bit?

With that thought in mind, I put on my most affectionate gaze and reached out to grasp Gideon's large hands.

This was clearly the first time the Alpha Heir had ever been interrupted during his "duty." He stopped immediately, looking down at me with a mixture of confusion and growing impatience.

"Alpha Heir," I forced my voice into a syrupy, sweet register—so high and cloying my throat practically burned. "You work so hard for the Pack all day. Let your servant take care of you tonight. I want to... do it myself. Please, indulge me just this once?"

He stared at me without a word, his dark, stormy eyes making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

Did I piss him off?

Not daring to delay any further, I gave him a seductive smile of thanks and boldly looped my arms around his neck.

He had clearly never seen such aggressive initiative from an Omega before. He froze for a split second, allowing me to slip into his guard. I could almost hear him thinking: What kind of unruly Omega did the Matriarch send me?

He reached out, pinning my shoulders down to stop my movements, his face darkening as he growled softly, "Insolent!"

A flicker of Alpha satisfaction crossed his face as he saw the mist of tears welling up in my eyes.

I let out a tiny, exaggerated shudder at his bark, stopping my movements instantly and staring up at him like a frightened little deer. But a second later, I brazenly grabbed his hand again.

"What are you doing?" he snapped.

I looked up at him innocently, laughing inwardly. Sure enough, a man's fingers are always sensitive, and this Alpha Heir is no exception.

I immediately swapped my expression to one of absolute, starry-eyed worship, cooing in my most delicate, breathy voice, "Alpha Heir, the outsiders always say you rely on the Matriarch's power for your status. But feeling the thick calluses on your knuckles and fingertips... I know you earned all your glory through your own blood, sweat, and battles!"

Being looked at with such sheer adoration clearly stroked his ego. I could see the subtle shift in his demeanor—he felt validated, yet he kept his face stern and scolded, "Speak properly. Do not try to curry favor."

"Yes~" I purred, dragging the word out with enough twists and turns to make an Alpha's bones itch.

Looking into my wide, innocent eyes, Gideon seemed to know damn well I was doing it on purpose. Annoyed, but undeniably aroused, he crashed his lips down to silence my mouth.

Seeing that my tactic worked, I immediately took the initiative. I have to admit, the experience turned out much better than I had initially expected.

When it was over, I lay on the massive bed with a hidden look of disgust. If I sleep on this overly ornate, stiff bed all night, I'll wake up with a sore back. I'm just here to do a job, not to play true love with the Alpha Heir. Whoever wants to suffer this bed can have it.

Thinking of this, I dutifully crawled out from under the covers, dressed myself quickly, and grabbed my proof of the night. I gave Gideon a flawless, respectful bow. "Alpha Heir, I will not disturb your rest any longer. I shall take my leave."

Without waiting for his response, I turned and walked out.

My swift departure seemed to catch Gideon completely off guard. As I walked away, I knew I had likely shattered whatever preconceived notions he had about me. He probably thought I was just another well-trained Omega sent by his mother, expecting me to be like those ambitious females who always begged to stay the night after the act, or worse, ignored his exhaustion to demand a second round just to secure favor. By leaving gracefully, I had spared him that annoyance, perhaps even earning his silent forgiveness for my earlier "unruly" behavior.

Honestly, I didn't care at all about Gideon's attitude toward me. The mission was accomplished, and I just wanted a good night's sleep.

I hurried back to the modest servant's quarters assigned to me, scrubbed myself clean with warm water, and collapsed onto my own bed, limbs spread wide like a starfish.

I calculated in my head: With this, I won't have to worry about failing the Matriarch's inspection tomorrow. My position in the Pack is secure for now.

I let out a long sigh, my tense nerves finally relaxing, and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

That was, until the early hours of the morning, when a maid named Daisy frantically shook me awake.

"Seraphina, wake up! It's time to go to the main estate and pay your respects to the Luna!"