Put To Work

Ivy's POV

The dread I feel increases the closer I get to the new building. Not because of what I might be asked to do, but because I have to face Cole and put on my "act". As Alarik and I approach the building, I can't help but think that it looks decent. Cole put plans forward for this building less than a year ago, and the fact that it's already completed means either pack members wanted the new space badly, or he worked everyone to the bone. It's probably the latter.

The building is styled similarly to the rest of the pack houses here at Red Moon – structurally sound, modern houses with grey stone exteriors and dark mahogany wooden accents. I let my eyes trail up as Alarik stops in front of me. This new housing could fit an entire small pack!

"Looks good doesn't it?" Alarik asks me and I return my eyes to the dirt path, staring at my shoes. "Yes, it looks wonderful, Beta. The pack did a great job."

More like busted their asses to please their overbearing Alpha, but I digress.

"Cole is waiting for you inside. Let's go."

I nod and follow him inside through the two large mahogany doors. I take a quick glance around and notice that where I'm standing is almost like a reception area in a hotel. There's a reception desk area in front of Alarik and myself, with many tables and seated areas around a large lobby. There are some bookshelves on the far-right side, and a bar/café on the left through a small alcove. Past the reception desk there are 2 sets of steel elevators that obviously lead to the upper floors.

"Alarik... Ivy." I hear my name from that oh so familiar voice.

Cole.

I keep my eyes glued to the floor and inhale and exhale slowly as he approaches.

"Alpha." I state, not glancing towards him or raising my eyes. He steps closer to me, and I feel his Alpha power radiating off him. It doesn't affect me much anymore since I don't consider him my Alpha, but that doesn't mean that he still doesn't have the power of one.

"What do you think of it Alarik?" Cole asks, his voice full of pride.

"It's magnificent, Alpha. Anyone who stays here will be staying in a lap of luxury."

"It's fitting considering in a few months, the Alpha prince will be visiting."

"It was confirmed?" I can only assume that Cole nodded, as he didn't reply to Alarik's question directly.

"Which brings me to you." Cole states coldly, and I try not to flinch.

"What do you ask of me Alpha?" I ask, and then instantly regret it as he grabs my face roughly.

"Did I say you could talk?!" He sneers at me as I keep my eyes averted from his angry gaze. I shake my head, and he releases me. I feel anger bubbling up, but I force it down again. I don't need a beating today. Cole hasn't changed much from what I remember, he still looks strikingly like his father. Chocolate brown hair, striking amber eyes and he's built like an Alpha should be, large and intimidating.

"As I was saying, the Alpha prince will be coming here to negotiate a pack transfer, as well as to see how Red Moon is fairing. It's part of his duties before he is appointed King." Cole continues, ignoring the fact that he was about to hit me seconds earlier.

Great. Another Alpha coming, and he's royalty.

"Ivy, you are to get every room in this building set up for visitors. That means making beds, cleaning and whatever else is needed. I have compiled a list of tasks for you. You have three days to pull it together. Any questions?"

"How many rooms are there?" I ask, unsure if I really want to know.

"One hundred over ten floors."

Fuck me.

"You will also attend to anyone who stays here, which will include the Alpha prince. A phone has been programmed for you with each of the phone numbers from each of the rooms here. You will have to get comfortable with knowing which room has which guest."

"Understood, Alpha." I reply, feeling defeated that I'm pretty much a slave now. Cole wouldn't ever call me that though. He'd give me some bullshit title of "Building Assistant" or something to make it seem like I am somewhat important to those who visit here.

No outside packs are aware of how Cole treats us here, and me especially. He hides it well due to Alarik helping him. Our pack members know, but are forbidden to talk about pack matters to anyone outside the pack. He's kept up a good façade, considering no one has come to investigate any of his methods or have questioned his leadership. The pack is still well off and may look good on paper, but I'm sure something won't go unnoticed by the Alpha prince.

"The phone is at the front desk for you, Ivy. Get to work, you're dismissed."

"Yes, Alpha." I walk over to the reception desk and grab the phone, and then head to the elevator and step inside once the doors open. I hit the button for the first floor, and sigh as the doors close, shielding me from Cole's disgusted gaze.

Asshole.

___

It's been well over three hours, and I've managed to get two floors done completely, and then I decided I should get the room for the Alpha prince ready so that it's not left until last minute.

As I walk in and start to make the bed, I think about the prince. I don't know much about him, aside from that I met him before I ended up in my current predicament at a pack party. I doubt he'd remember me, but everyone knows him now. He's known as the "heartless prince."

Packs fear when he becomes King, unsure if he will lead us to prosperity or ruin. I can't help but think that he knows what he's doing if his parents are willing to step down to allow him to rule well before their time is up. Usually, the prince would have to challenge the reigning King for the title, but King Oryn seems to have the upmost faith in his son's abilities. It's been said that the Alpha King Oryn and Luna Queen Daciana are stepping down to become the Northern Reigns on the council so that their son wouldn't have to govern the entire Werewolf race as well as be responsible for the northern packs individually.

It's a smart move, and it keeps people aware that an entire family is leading our species alongside the other Reigns from the East, South, and West. No one would dare challenge their son.

I sigh as I walk into the bathroom in the room to clean it. This is going to take more than three days to get all these rooms ready. I pull my phone out of my back pocket as I let cleaner sit on the shower and call Genevieve.

"Hello? You okay Ivy?"

"I'm okay, aside from the fact that Cole wants me to get every single room in here cleaned and ready in the new building."

"Is it a lot?" She asks and I hear her sharp intake of breath before I answer.

"It's ten floors, ten rooms each floor. One hundred in total. I've only managed to get twenty done in three hours" – I check my watch – "almost four actually."

"My god he puts too much on you. Keep going, and I'll message Kane and him and I will come help, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me. We know he overworks you, and he can't say shit if he wants this done in time. See you in a bit."

"See you."

I put my phone back in my pocket and sigh as I grab the cleaning rag off the counter and step into the shower and start wiping it down.