Chapter 18
Serena’s POV
What just happened?
I tightened my grip on the hair tie in my hand as I followed Jace into the office he’d said was mine. The fabric felt rough against my skin, like a tether holding back all the questions swirling in my head.
They’d acted like they owned me back there. It wasn’t just one of them-it was all of them. That same commanding arrogance, the same look Pedro used to give me, as though I were a pawn to be placed wherever they saw fit.
And then there was Hades. Goodness, just thinking about him sent a shiver down my spine. His voice, sharp and cold, still lingered in my ears like a warning.
Jace stopped in front of a polished desk, turning to face me.
“This is where you’ll be working,” he said, gesturing to the sleek setup. “And before you start overthinking, let me break things down for you. Your job isn’t as overwhelming as it sounds.”
I raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to believe him. He folded his arms, his tone casual but firm, like someone who’d given this speech a dozen times.
“You’ll be assisting the three alphas, sure, but it’s not as bad as it seems. Alpha Hades is the CEO; he handles the major decisions, external relations, and the big-picture strategy for the company. Alpha Aeson, the COO, oversees the staff and internal operations. He’s the one keeping the gears turning. Then there’s Alpha Caiden. He’s more hands-on with the finances and partnerships, but you’ll barely see him unless you mess up.”
My heart skipped at the mention of Hades, but I forced myself to stay composed, nodding as if this all made sense.
“Your main job is to organize their schedules, handle their meetings, and ensure communication flows smoothly between them. That’s it. No need to stress yourself out.”
“No need to stress?” I repeated skeptically.
Jace smirked. “You’ll be fine. And besides, you’re being well compensated for it.”
I tilted my head. “How well?”
He named the figure, and my mouth fell open. “Wait, what?”
“That’s your monthly salary.”
“That can’t be right. The ad said…” My voice trailed off as the reality set in. What he’d just told me was three times what I’d expected. Three times.
“You heard me,” Jace said, amusement flickering in his eyes. “They’ll have high expectations, but as long as you do your best, you’ll be fine.”
I stared at him, trying to process it all. Why did he make it sound like this wasn’t a big deal? Like I wasn’t about to sweat my soul out just to prove I belonged here?
As if sensing my thoughts, Jace added, “Relax. You’re being treated like a good assistant. That’s all.”
But was that all? This felt like something else entirely, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being tested in ways I didn’t fully understand.
Jace left, closing the door gently behind him. The silence in the room felt thick, but I welcomed it. I sank into the leather chair, my body heavy with a mix of unease and resignation. Maybe I was overthinking everything, attaching meanings to their actions that weren’t even there. I should just focus on my work, I told myself. That’s what I came here for.
I stared at the hair tie in my hand. With a deep breath, I pulled my hair up into a ponytail and tied it back. But as I did, Caiden’s voice replayed in my mind:
1/2
Chapter 18
“You’re good like this.”
I frowned at the memory. The way his gaze lingered on me earlier wasn’t admiration; it was something else entirely. Flirtation, maybe? A game? He seemed like the kind of man who thrived on attention, the kind who collected lovers as easily as one might collect souvenirs. The last thing I wanted was to become another notch on his belt.
I shook my head, pushing the thought away, and focused on organizing the files lace had left for me. I was just beginning to get into the rhythm of the work when a knock sounded at the door.
