Chapter 3 The So-Called Bumpkin

Selene’s POV

I walked away with a smile on my face.

It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t warm. It was the kind of smile that came when people had already decided who you were—and you had no intention of correcting them.

Behind me, Quin finally snapped.

“You bumpkin Omega!” she shouted, her voice sharp with anger. “Let me make this clear—there is no way I will ever let you marry Lucian and become the Luna of Moonveil Pack!”

I paused for a brief second.

Then I laughed.

Not loudly. Not dramatically. Just enough.

Because her anger had nothing to do with me.

It had everything to do with him.

The way she looked at Lucian… the way she set me up last night… it was obvious.

She didn’t hate me because I was an outsider.

She hated me because I was standing where she wanted to stand.

Interesting.

So it wasn’t me chasing Lucian.

It was her.

Before I could respond, a heavy, suffocating presence filled the air.

Lucian stepped out.

The moment he appeared, everything shifted.

The aura of an Alpha pressed down like a storm—cold, sharp, overwhelming. Even I felt it, though it didn’t affect me the way it did others.

Quin immediately shrank.

“Lucian…” she called softly, her tone suddenly obedient, almost fearful.

The same girl who had just been screaming.

He didn’t answer her.

But somehow, his silence was far worse than anger.

I glanced at him once, then turned away.

He was furious. That much was clear.

But Quin wasn’t foolish. No matter how angry she was, she wouldn’t dare bring up what happened last night. If that story spread, it wouldn’t just damage me—it would damage him too.

And no one here would allow that.

So I left.

Calm. Light. As if nothing had happened.

As I walked down the hallway, something tugged at my thoughts.

Something wasn’t right.

“What happened last night?” I asked inwardly. “Why didn’t you wake me up when he got into bed?”

Frieda’s lazy voice echoed in my mind.

“Please,” she said, clearly amused. “You were more comfortable than I was. And besides… his scent is really nice. I liked it.”

I stopped walking.

That caught my attention immediately.

Frieda had never said that before.

Not once.

She had never liked any man’s scent.

My voice softened, cautious. “Could he be our fated mate?”

Frieda didn’t answer right away.

Then she said casually, “Why don’t we share a few more nights and confirm it?”

“No.”

The answer came out instantly.

Firm. Clear.

“I don’t like him,” I said. “Lucian is arrogant, cold, and completely full of himself.”

Frieda let out a soft hum, amused deep within me.

She didn’t argue.

But I could feel it.

She didn’t agree either.

That irritated me.

It was already bad enough that my first time sharing a bed with a man had turned into something so absurd. But after that, there was nothing. No pull. No instinct. No connection telling me he was mine.

So that meant one thing.

He wasn’t my mate.

Good.

The servant led me to the guest room. I unpacked quietly, arranging my belongings before heading downstairs for breakfast.

The dining table was already set.

Elena sat at the head, her gaze sharp and judging.

Quin sat beside her, still clearly upset.

And across from them—

Lucian.

The heir of Moonveil Pack.

I walked forward and took my seat without hesitation.

The moment I sat down, Elena spoke.

“So,” she said slowly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Someone decided to sleep in and skip helping with breakfast. Do you already think you’re the Luna of Moonveil Pack?”

I looked at her.

Calm.

Unbothered.

Then I replied evenly, “I’m not your servant.”

I let the words settle.

“Do you expect me to cook for you? Then you must be dreaming.”

Her expression darkened instantly.

Quin glared at me.

But I didn’t care.

And throughout all of it—

Lucian said nothing.

Not a single word.

He sat there, silent, eating as if none of this concerned him.

It was obvious.

He didn’t like me.

And honestly?

I didn’t like him either.

The rest of the meal passed in silence.

But it wasn’t peaceful.

It was tense.

Heavy.

Every glance carried meaning.

Every movement felt watched.

By the time breakfast ended, I had no interest in staying any longer.

I stood up.

“Wait.”

Elena’s voice stopped me.

I turned back.

Without another word, she picked up a bank card and tossed it toward me.

It landed neatly in front of me.

“There’s five thousand dollars in it,” she said coldly. “Go buy yourself some proper clothes before you go to Moonveil Group.”

Her eyes swept over me.

“And listen carefully. Stay in your place at the company. Don’t embarrass Lucian.”

I blinked.

Confused.

“Moonveil Group? Me?”

“Of course you,” Elena replied impatiently. “Richmond arranged it. He wants you and Lucian to get closer. So he made you his secretary.”

She let out a mocking laugh.

“Otherwise, how would a bumpkin like you ever enter a company like Moonveil Group?”

For a moment, I said nothing.

My thoughts slowed.

Then sharpened.

So this was Richmond’s plan.

The current Alpha of Moonveil Pack.

He was determined to force something between me and Lucian.

So much that he was willing to make me—the Alpha of Bloodfang Pack—work as a secretary.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

But I had already agreed.

Three months.

That was all.

And honestly, being outside sounded far better than staying here with Quin and Elena.

So I didn’t argue.

Instead, I looked at the card again.

Five thousand dollars.

I almost laughed.

“Thank you,” I said lightly, pushing it back. “But I don’t need it.”

All my clothes were custom-made.

Not that they would recognize that.

And I didn’t care enough to explain.

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked upstairs.

The moment I stepped into my room, my phone buzzed.

A notification appeared.

Transfer received: 50,000,000.

I stared at the screen.

Then smiled.

A message followed.

“My dear Alpha, take care of yourself. Buy whatever you want. Eat whatever you want. Don’t hold back.”

I typed quickly.

“Grandpa, the Frostbanes are bullying me. It’s not fun at all.”

The reply came instantly.

“Really? Someone dares bully you? Hmm… interesting. Alright, I’m going fishing now.”

I froze.

Then sighed.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or feel speechless.

Typical.

After changing into a clean, professional outfit, I left the Frostbane Manor.

The same driver opened the car door for me.

I stepped inside.

And froze.

Lucian was already there.

His presence filled the car instantly.

Cold.

Dominant.

Impossible to ignore.

His gaze shifted to me, sharp with mockery.

“I thought you weren’t interested in me,” he said. “So why are you going to Moonveil Group to be my secretary?”

I met his eyes.

Smiled faintly.

“I promised my grandfather I would stay here for three months,” I said calmly. “After that, we’ll cancel the engagement.”

He scoffed.

“Aren’t you afraid you’ll fall for me in three months?” he asked, his tone arrogant. “Don’t end up clinging to the Frostbanes when the time comes.”

I laughed.

I couldn’t help it.

His confidence was unbelievable.

“Mr. Frostbane,” I said lightly, “it seems the rumors are true.”

I leaned back slightly.

“You really are that full of yourself.”

His eyes darkened.

So I continued.

“Let me make this clear,” I said calmly. “Three months or three years—it doesn’t matter.”

I held his gaze.

“I will never like you. Not in this lifetime.”

---

Lucian’s POV

Not in this lifetime?

Then why is she here?

I stared at her.

At her calm expression.

At the certainty in her voice.

Was she pretending?

Playing some kind of game?

“Selene,” I said slowly, my tone dark, “you better remember what you said today.”

She smiled.

But it wasn’t real.

“Of course, Mr. Frostbane,” she replied. “Don’t worry. We’ll part ways after three months.”

Then she added—

“Oh, and at work, let’s pretend we don’t know each other. It’ll avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”

I turned my head away.

I didn’t want to look at her anymore.

“Drive,” I ordered coldly.

The car started moving.

My phone buzzed.

A message from my secretary.

Screenshots.

Company group chat.

“Did you hear? Mr. Frostbane’s fiancée is joining as his secretary.”

“I heard she’s ugly. And from the countryside.”

“Can she even read documents?”

“Hahaha, she probably doesn’t even know how to use a computer!”

I stared at the messages.

Then another message came.

“Mr. Frostbane, there’s negative gossip spreading about your fiancée. Should I suppress it?”

I lifted my eyes.

Looked at Selene.

Then smiled faintly.

“No.”

I paused.

“Let it spread.”

My voice turned colder.

“After all… I don’t want this marriage either.”