Chapter 1
Nora's POV
I slumped into my desk chair, staring at the mountain of case files scattered across the worn surface like casualties of war. Just back from some remote town, three days dealing with an elderly Lycan abuse case with only eight hours of sleep total, and my head felt like someone was taking a jackhammer to my skull.
The fluorescent lights in the DSW Blackwood Branch office buzzed overhead, that constant electrical hum that had become the soundtrack to my life. Phones rang in desperate harmony while my colleagues shuffled between cubicles clutching coffee mugs. The whole place smelled like burnt coffee and institutional despair—eau de government budget cuts.
I rubbed my temples, trying to focus on the form in front of me. Another unfortunate woman, 37, suspected spousal abuse. I'd need to schedule a home visit. My fingers were just reaching for my keyboard when the director knocked on my cubicle wall.
"Nora, got a minute?"
I looked up at my supervisor, taking in his rumpled shirt and the stress lines etched deep around his eyes. Marcus Brennan had been running the Blackwood Branch for fifteen years, and every single one of them showed. "Sure. What's up?"
"My office. Now."
Great. I followed him through the maze of cubicles, nodding at Claire as she mouthed good luck from her desk. Whatever this was, it wasn't going to be fun. Marcus only used his office for two things: budget discussions and shit assignments nobody else wanted.
He closed the door behind me and gestured to the chair across from his desk. I sat, noting the formal invitation card sitting on top of his usual chaos of paperwork.
"I need you at an event tonight," he said without preamble. "Six-thirty."
I blinked. "Tonight? Marcus, I just got back from—"
"I know. But this is important." He picked up the invitation, cream-colored card stock with gold embossing that probably cost more than my monthly rent. "The Taylor family is hosting their annual charity gala at the Blackwood Hotel. They've donated substantial funds to the Department of Species Welfare. Their Alpha specifically requested we send representatives."
I felt my exhaustion deepen. A donor schmooze fest.
"You're the best we've got for this kind of thing." He slid the invitation across the desk.
Translation: I'm the one who cleans up best. I picked up the invitation, scanning the details. Taylor Family Annual Charity Gala. Black tie optional. Silent auction and live bidding to benefit multiple causes including DSW.
"Charity auction?" I asked.
Marcus nodded. "Big one. They raise millions every year. Our funding from them depends on maintaining good relations, so we need to show up and look grateful."
Two hours of smiling at rich Lycans who threw money at us so they could feel good about themselves while continuing to create the exact problems we spent our lives trying to fix. I wanted to say no. I wanted to go home, take a shower, and sleep for approximately fifteen hours.
But Marcus was right. We needed their money. The Blackwood Branch was hanging on by its fingernails.
"Fine," I said, my voice flat.
"Take Benjamin and Claire with you. Strength in numbers." He paused, his expression softening slightly. "I know it's asking a lot, especially after the week you've had. But we can't refuse."
I stood, tucking the invitation into my bag. "Anything else?"
"Yeah." Marcus actually smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Try not to tell any of them what you really think of their tax-deductible charity."
---
The Blackwood Branch locker room smelled like industrial cleaner and desperation, much like everything else in this building. I stood in front of the mirror, pulling off my worn DSW field jacket and examining the woman staring back at me.
Three days of minimal sleep had left shadows under my gray-blue eyes that no amount of concealer was going to hide. My blonde hair was a disaster, still carrying the smell of the motel I'd crashed in between interviews. I looked exactly like what I was: a twenty-four-year-old government contractor running on fumes and spite.
I splashed cold water on my face and reached for my emergency outfit—a dark gray blazer, black slacks, and a white blouse that was only slightly wrinkled. As I changed, I caught my reflection again and felt that familiar bitter laugh rising in my throat.
A human caseworker going to a Lycan charity gala. In the past, this would've been absurd.
Thirty years. That's how long it had been since the Species Integration Act supposedly made everything equal. Lycans and humans, living side by side, same rights, same opportunities. A beautiful story of unity and progress that looked great in history textbooks and fell apart the second you stepped into reality.
I pulled my hair into a neat bun, securing it with pins. In the mirror, I could see the truth that the law tried to pretend didn't exist. Lycans had the strength, the senses, the longevity, and most importantly, the aggression to dominate every industry that mattered. Mining, energy, security—anywhere you needed physical power and the ability to intimidate, Lycans were in charge.
And humans? We got to be the professional class. The lawyers, the accountants, the social workers. The ones who cleaned up after the Lycans made their messes while pretending we had equal footing.
I smoothed down my blazer, thinking about the state of the Department of Species Welfare—the agency everyone had forgotten existed. The one with a budget that wouldn't cover a wealthy family's vacation. The one where the heating broke three months ago and still hadn't been fixed because there was no money to repair it.
We were supposed to be the bridge between species, the safety net for the vulnerable. Instead, we were the forgotten stepchild of the federal government, surviving on scraps and the occasional guilt donation from the same families who created most of our caseload.
"Why do you work so hard at this?" Kyle Vaughn's voice echoed in my mind, that mixture of affection and frustration I'd heard so many times over the past year. "DSW is a sinking ship, baby."
I'd always laughed it off, told him I believed in the work. That even if the system was broken, I could still help the people who fell through the cracks. But standing here in this dingy locker room, wearing my one good outfit to go beg for money from people who saw us as a tax write-off, I had to wonder if he was right.
My phone buzzed. A message from Kyle.
Can't wait to see you tomorrow night. One year with the most amazing woman alive. I've got something special planned. ❤️
I smiled despite my exhaustion. Tomorrow was our anniversary. We'd been together for a year, and despite his family's obvious disapproval of his human girlfriend, Kyle had stuck by me. That had to count for something.
Me too.
I slipped my phone back into my purse and took one last look in the mirror. Good enough. I didn't need to impress these people, just needed to not embarrass the branch.
"Nora!" Benjamin's voice carried through the door. "Car's ready! We gotta go or we'll miss the damn event!"
Benjamin was a recent college grad, my temporary partner. He'd joined the department with enthusiasm and optimism, and now he was starting to complain about the work constantly.
"Coming," I called back.
A few minutes later, I grabbed my coat and headed out, meeting Claire in the hallway. She'd actually managed to find a dress that looked presentable, her dark hair styled in waves.
"You clean up nice," I told her.
"So do you. Well, as nice as anyone can look on DSW wages." She fell into step beside me. "Think they'll have good food?"
"It's the Taylor family. The appetizers probably cost more than our monthly salary."
Benjamin was waiting by the car. He'd combed his brown hair and was wearing a tie, looking more serious than usual.
"Ready to watch rich people throw money around?" he asked, grinning.
I slid into the passenger seat. "Ready as I'll ever be. Just remember—smile, be polite, and for the love of god, don't do anything outrageous."
Benjamin navigated the department vehicle through Blackwood's potholed streets toward the highway.
The Blackwood Hotel rose from the landscape like a middle finger to everything Blackwood represented. All glass and steel and aggressive wealth, it sat just inside the Silverton city limits—close enough to our district to claim they were "giving back to the community," far enough away that they never had to actually see it.
Benjamin pulled into the circular drive, and immediately I felt out of place. Luxury cars lined the entrance—sleek sedans with custom paint jobs, SUVs that cost more than I'd make in five years. A valet in a crisp uniform appeared at my window before I'd even fully opened the door.
"Good evening, ma'am. Welcome to the Blackwood Hotel."
I climbed out, tugging my blazer straight while Benjamin stammered something about whether we needed to tip. Claire appeared at my elbow, her eyes wide as she took in the lobby visible through the glass doors.
"Holy shit," she breathed. "Did I just walk into another world?"
"Probably. Come on." I led them inside. The lobby was all soaring ceilings and artful lighting, the kind of calculated luxury that screamed we have more money than you can imagine.
A man in an immaculate suit approached us, his smile professional and distant. "Good evening. Are you with the Taylor family charity gala?"
"Yes. We're from the Department of Species Welfare." I pulled out my ID.
His expression shifted—not quite warmth, but a degree less cold. "Of course. Mr. Taylor mentioned you'd be joining us. Right this way, please."
He led us through the lobby toward a set of double doors where I could already hear the murmur of conversation and soft music. As we walked, I caught sight of other guests—women in designer gowns and men in tuxedos, the easy confidence of people who'd never had to worry about whether they could afford groceries and gas in the same week.
"The live auction begins at seven," our escort was saying. "Your seats are in the center section, fifth row. You'll have an excellent view of the stage."
"What kinds of items are being auctioned?" Claire asked, her eyes wide.
"Oh, extraordinary pieces. Rare artwork, luxury vacation packages, jewelry from exclusive designers. Last year's top item went for one million dollars." He gestured toward the ballroom entrance. "Enjoy your evening."
We found our seats—decent ones, I had to admit, with a clear view of the stage where a podium stood ready for the auctioneer. The ballroom was obscene in its luxury.
I sank into the plush chair and tried to ignore the way my stomach was twisting. This wasn't my world. I was here to smile and represent DSW and then go home and forget these people existed.
"Ladies and gentlemen," a voice boomed through the sound system. "Welcome to the Taylor Family Annual Charity Gala. Tonight, we come together to support vital causes throughout our community, including the remarkable work of the Department of Species Welfare."
Polite applause rippled through the room. I forced a smile as a few heads turned our direction.
The auction started with smaller items—signed memorabilia, wine collections, weekend getaways. The bidding was casual, almost bored, as if these people were deciding between appetizers rather than spending thousands of dollars.
Then the auctioneer's voice took on a different tone. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, our crown jewel of the evening. A stunning custom piece from Cartier—the Moonlight Cascade necklace. Platinum and diamonds, featuring a 15-carat center stone. Valued at $850,000. Shall we start the bidding at $500,000?"
A spotlight illuminated a velvet display case being wheeled onto the stage. Even from where I sat, I could see the necklace glittering like captured starlight, obscene in its beauty and price.
"Do I hear $500,000?"
A paddle went up somewhere in the front section.
"$500,000 to paddle 47. Do I hear $550,000?"
Another paddle. The bidding climbed quickly—$600,000, $650,000, $700,000. I watched with a mixture of fascination and disgust. That money could fund our entire branch for half a year. It could help hundreds of families. Instead, it was going to hang around someone's neck at cocktail parties.
"$850,000 to paddle 23. Do I hear $900,000?"
Silence. The auctioneer waited, building tension.
"$850,000 going once..."
"One million dollars."
The voice cut through the room like a blade. Deep, commanding, unmistakably Alpha. And unmistakably familiar.
My blood ran cold.
I turned toward the front section, my heart hammering against my ribs. A man stood, paddle raised, his profile illuminated by the stage lights.
Kyle.