Chapter 11
Me?
“The first interview will be conducted by King Richard himself.”
The buzz in the room is immediate. Whispers ripple from corner to corner.
“I heard he only does the final round…”
“Imagine being in a room alone with him…”
“Four years and not a single scandal.”
I tune them out as best I can.
That’s when someone plops into the chair next to mine.
“Jason,” he says, offering a hand.
I shake it, more out of reflex than interest. He’s not from an alpha family, that much is clear. Civilian. And yet his confidence is suffocating.
“So,” he
” he says, “you’re up first, huh?”
“Looks like it.”
He leans in, dropping his voice like we’re conspirators. “Think you’d be willing to swap spots with me?”
I blink. “If you have a conflict, maybe talk to the staff?”
He smiles tightly. “No conflict. Just think it’s a better strategic fit. And look-” he rubs his fingers together in a money gesture-“I’ll make it worth your while.”
My stomach turns. Of course. He wants the interview slot with Richard. He thinks I’m stupid enough to give it to him for some cash.
He glances down at my chest and smirks. “Hey, I’m just leveling the playing field. You’re playing with your assets-can’t blame a guy for using his.”
I stare at him. “I bring plenty to the table without your garbage assumptions.”
“Oh yeah? If you’re so confident, what’s the problem with giving up your spot?”
1/3
Chapter 11
I’m just opening my mouth to reply when a familiar voice cuts in.
+25 BONUS
“If you’re worried about fairness,” Richard says, stepping up behind Jason, “we’ll just do a team interview.”
Jason nearly falls out of his chair.
The group interview is intense-but to my own surprise, I kind of kill it.
We’re seated in a semicircle, facing a panel that includes Richard, Nathan, and two other high-ranking officials
I recognize from council broadcasts. One woman from the southern border pack is asked a question about communication structure between departments, and before I can fully overthink it, I’m called on to respond
next.
I steady myself and speak clearly, referencing examples from both a class project I’d done on internal policy design and my experience coordinating student volunteers. Richard watches me with a completely unreadable expression, which only makes me push harder to be precise.
They throw us scenario-based questions-what would you do if this person disobeyed a direct order? How would you balance a loyalty conflict between your Alpha and a law you personally disagreed with?—and I don’t freeze. I actually find my rhythm. My answers are sharp, direct, and I make sure I’m speaking from both a practical and moral place. My hands don’t shake. My voice doesn’t waver.
One of the councilmen even nods once, impressed. The woman beside me fumbles her words. Jason tries to talk over another candidate and gets a sharp glance from Nathan, the Beta. He keeps circling back to vague buzzwords—”initiative,” “innovation,” “synergy”–but it’s all fluff. Everyone can tell.
By the end, I know I’ve made a solid impression. Maybe not perfect-but definitely strong. I walk out with my shoulders squared, feeling like I’ve proven something. To them, to him, and maybe a little to myself too.
I’m thoughtful. Articulate. I know what I’m talking about. Every answer I give is real, specific, grounded in both knowledge and experience. I see nods. I hear the tone shift.
Jason slides through most of his answers, talking in circles and trying to sounding smoother than he probably is. I don’t know if he believed a single word he was saying, but he certainly sounded good saying it.
Afterward, we’re all ushered back to the waiting room. Everyone’s buzzing again, but I just sit there, trying to slow my heartbeat.
Eventually, the Beta walks back in, holding a short list.
“These are the candidates who have been selected” Nathan says.
2/3
There are five names. Mine is first.
Jason’s isn’t on it.
And honestly? That feels pretty damn good.
