Irina’s POV

The uniform felt strange against my skin.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the staff locker room. The crisp, dark grey tunic and tailored black slacks fit me perfectly. It wasn’t a ragged, shapeless sack. It wasn’t the uniform of an omega destined to be beaten, starved, and forgotten. It was clean. It was professional. I even had a small silver pin resting over my heart.

It had my name on it.

I was an employee. I was a human being with a job.

I traced the engraved letters of my name with a trembling finger. My stomach was tied in a hundred frantic knots. The private estate of the Obsidian Holdings’ CEO was an absolute fortress. It was tucked away in the sprawling, heavily wooded hills just outside the city. It was massive, silent, and completely intimidating.

But I had to do this. I had to survive.

I turned away from the mirror. I walked over to the wooden bench where my baby carrier sat. Luka was wide awake, chewing happily on his little fist.

"Ready, little man?" I whispered, strapping him securely to my chest.

I pushed the locker room door open and stepped out into the massive staff kitchen.

It was warm. The air smelled of fresh lemon polish, roasting chicken, and hot coffee. The tension in my shoulders eased just a fraction. This didn’t feel like a cold, corporate tower. It felt alive.

"You must be the new girl."

I flinched. The reaction was entirely instinctual. I spun around, automatically dipping my chin and bracing my body for a harsh scolding.

But it wasn’t a cruel pack member. It wasn’t a terrifying Alpha.

It was an older woman. She wore the same grey tunic as me. She had kind, deeply crinkled eyes, silver hair pulled into a neat net, and a warm, incredibly maternal smile.

"I’m Irina," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

The woman’s eyes immediately dropped to my chest. Her face completely lit up.

"Oh, heavens!" she gasped, pressing a hand to her heart. "Is this the baby Mrs. Gable mentioned? Look at him!"

Two other older maids, who had been organizing a stack of fine linen napkins near the counter, immediately dropped what they were doing and hurried over.

"Oh, my goodness," one of them cooed, her eyes wide with delight.

"Look at those eyes!" the other marvelled, leaning in close. "He is absolutely precious."

I stood frozen. I was completely unaccustomed to this. In my old life, my existence was a burden. But these women weren’t glaring at me. They weren’t judging me for being a young, single mother. They were absolutely completely captivated by my son.

"I’m Clara," the silver-haired woman smiled, gently tapping Luka’s little nose. He giggled instantly, kicking his legs against my stomach. "And this is Mary and Rose. Don’t you worry about a thing, sweetheart. We set up a little portable playpen right here in the staff lounge for him. He can watch us work."

My chest swelled with a massive, overwhelming wave of relief.

"Thank you," I breathed out. "Thank you so much."

The work started ten minutes later.

It was exhausting. The estate was terrifyingly huge. The hallways seemed to stretch on for miles. The ceilings were incredibly high, lined with heavy, imported crystal chandeliers. I was assigned to the east wing. My tasks were endless. Dusting the massive library. Polishing the antique hardwood floors. Wiping down the endless rows of tall, arched windows.

My muscles burned. My knees ached from kneeling on the hardwood.

But I didn’t stop. I didn’t complain.

My wolf hummed in my chest, a steady, powerful vibration. She fed me her strength. She kept my breathing even and my hands quick. I scrubbed the floors with a fierce, quiet pride. I wasn’t doing this because an Alpha ordered me to under the threat of a whip. I was doing this for a paycheck. I was doing this for Luka’s future.

The mysterious CEO was nowhere to be found. The main master suite was strictly off-limits, guarded by silence. I was grateful. I just wanted to keep my head down and do the work.

By the time the afternoon rolled around, my grey tunic was damp with sweat. My arms felt like they were made of lead.

I barely managed to finish my assigned rooms.

I pushed my cleaning cart back into the staff kitchen. I grabbed a glass of ice water and drained it in three huge gulps.

I looked up at the large clock on the wall.

My heart completely stopped.

It was 2:30 PM.

My anatomy lecture started at three.

The panic returned instantly. It hit me like a physical blow to the chest. The memory of my last class flashed violently behind my eyes. The crowded lecture hall. The deafening echo of Luka’s terrified screams. The professor’s cold, annoyed frown. The cruel, blonde girls kicking my canvas backpack into the dirt.

I couldn’t take him back there. I absolutely could not put him through that again.

But I couldn’t miss the class. If I failed, my entire plan was ruined.

I looked over at the staff lounge. Luka was sitting happily in his portable playpen, completely surrounded by soft toys. Clara was sitting in a chair nearby, folding a stack of towels and humming a soft tune to him.

My hands started to tremble.

I had to ask.

The thought of asking for a favor made my stomach churn with sickening terror. In the werewolf pack, omegas didn’t ask for favors. Asking for help was a sign of weakness. It invited mockery. It invited violence.

*They are going to laugh at you,* a dark voice whispered in my head. *They are going to tell you it’s not their job. They are going to call you a burden.*

I wiped my sweaty palms on my black slacks. I took a deep, shaky breath, forcing my feet to move across the kitchen floor.

I stopped next to the playpen.

Clara looked up. She smiled warmly. "You look exhausted, honey. Did you finish the east wing?"

"I did," I rasped. My throat felt incredibly tight.

I squeezed my hands together in front of me. I kept my head slightly bowed.

"Clara..." I started, my voice shaking terribly. "I... I have a class. At the university. It starts in thirty minutes."

"Oh! You’re a college girl?" Clara’s eyes widened with genuine, impressed surprise. "Good for you, sweetheart! That’s wonderful."

"I..." I swallowed hard. The words felt like broken glass in my throat. "I can’t take him with me. Last time, he cried, and... and they kicked me out of the lecture hall. They were so mean."

Clara’s face instantly fell. Her kind eyes filled with immediate sympathy. "Oh, those awful kids."

"I know it’s a huge burden," I rushed out, the panic spilling over. I braced myself for the rejection. I squeezed my eyes shut. "I know it’s not your job. But... could I leave Luka here with you? Just for two hours? I swear I’ll come straight back. If it’s too much, I understand. I’ll take him. I’m sorry for even asking—"

"Irina, stop."

Clara’s voice wasn’t harsh. It was incredibly soft.

I opened my eyes.

She wasn’t laughing at me. She wasn’t sneering. She didn’t look annoyed or burdened.

Clara stood up from her chair. She reached out and gently placed her warm, dry hand over my trembling, tightly clenched fists.

She offered me a bright, deeply comforting smile.

"Of course you can," Clara said gently.

The massive, suffocating knot in my chest completely unraveled. The air rushed back into my lungs.

"Really?" I whispered, a hot tear instantly pricking the corner of my eye.

"Really," she laughed, a rich, warm sound. She looked down at Luka, who was currently trying to eat a soft, stuffed bear. She looked back at me, her eyes twinkling. "I’ve seen more children than you’ve seen people. You hurry up and go. I will take good care of this adorable baby."

A heavy, beautiful wave of pure relief crashed over me. I wasn’t alone. I was safe here.

I nodded gratefully, and immediately left.