5. Mila

Chapter five

Mila

G overnor Frederick invited me to his office before training, and why does he want to see me all of a sudden?

I'm surprised he even knows that I exist.

Could it possibly have to do with the selection? It is getting awfully close now, and I'm becoming a complete bag of nerves.

Instructor Horace is now fifty-five percent confident that I will make it to the first selection, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

After all, it's best to always anticipate the worst.

I guess it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't make the cut. I could always make the selection next year, but the money is just too good to resist, and it could really change my dad's life around.

It could change both of our lives.

But I don't think I can wait another year. It has to be now or never; I don't think my body will wait that long.

One day, my secret will get out, and then it will spell the end for me.

Sometimes, it's not even worth thinking about.

I have to make the first selection.

Finally, I arrive at the governor's door, and he calls out my name before I even have the chance to knock.

"It's open, Mila Stone..."

It's almost as if he could sense my arrival, and had he been listening out for me? I can't help the shiver that runs down my spine.

It feels like stepping into the office of Dracula. And the way he said my full name…

Taking a deep breath, I step into his office, and Governor Frederick offers me a faux smile through his carefully cut beard of black.

There is nothing genuine about him, and this man has always given me the heebie jeebies.

I often wonder if he truly does have the Beta population's best interests at heart, and if he is more in it for himself.

One thing I know for certain; he hates the Alpha population with a roaring passion.

Especially their appointed Governor, Lily…

That female Alpha could twist his limbs like a pretzel, and he knows it. Hence why he is always trying to one-up her.

These recent Beta Trials are proof of his valiant efforts, and it seems his gambling is paying off.

So far, Governor Frederick has the upper hand.

The only thing Lily can do is sit back and watch as the Beta Governor takes over. But I have a feeling she is just a viper biding her time.

The resulting chaos that will possibly ensue from their clash could spell doom for us all…

"Please… take a seat, Mila Stone…"

Always my full name. Most people just call me Mila. But Governor Frederick likes to go the extra mile.

He says my name like I am something sacred.

The door clicks shut behind me, and now I feel boxed in. No way out. Again, I shiver, feeling as if I have entered the office of the devil himself.

Frederick already has the beard to match.

I take my seat before his mammoth-sized desk. The governor is just finishing signing a document. His scratchy pen fills the painful silence, and I try to focus my attention on the scene outside his large glass windows.

A bird has perched in a tree.

The pendulum of the clock swings, but I keep my hands planted firmly on the arms of my chair, trying not to lose my nerve.

What the hell has brought on this unprecedented meeting, anyway? I always knew that the governor had an eye for me, but I never would have dreamed of the day he would be inviting me to his office.

He puts his fountain pen down, giving me that disingenuous smile again.

"Mila… thank you for coming at such short notice…"

I breathe in, tasting blood. It seems I bit my tongue. "It's no trouble, Governor, sir."

He leans back on his leather seat, steepling his fingers as he regards me with those calculating eyes, and I keep my posture straight.

I hope he doesn't notice the beads of sweat forming on my forehead. I hope I dowsed myself with enough desensitizer today.

The last thing I need is for the governor to find out about my gingerbread-scented secret. The moment he learns the truth about me, I will be kicked out of the Beta population, and my dad will be alone.

There will be no one left to take care of him.

"So, Mila… can you hazard a guess to the strange nature of this meeting today?"

An odd way to start a conversation, but I keep my wits about me, keeping my voice even. "No, governor, sir."

He taps his steepled fingers together, narrowing his eyes, and I don't want to show him how nervous he is making me feel.

"Your instructor tells me that you are the best in his class..."

I maintain some modesty, nodding my head. "I am very grateful for his praises, sir."

Again, the governor smiles, and it warps his face. "I hear that you are on your way to making the first selection."

"That is correct."

"Some say that you will even be the first to be called up and sent to live with a pack in the Alpha population."

I notice how he just says Alpha. He omitted Omega, and it's curious…

I don't reply. I don't like where this is leading.

He continues. "Well, it just so happens that I can make those rumors a reality, Mila Stone."

My heart accelerates.

"I would be happy to give you what you want. After all, making first place is what you desire most, right?"

I suck in a trembling breath. "Yes, sir."

"That way, you can continue to keep looking after your father. Even though you will be away from him for a while…"

I try not to show any signs of vulnerability on that part. For some reason, I don't like the governor bringing up my father.

It's as if he is exploiting my weakness.

"You just have to promise me something, Mila Stone… After all, I have a pack in mind for you. Their Omega is one of the few males in the world… and I want you to gain his trust… get to know him better…"

He doesn't specify why, and I taste metal in my mouth. Have I bitten my tongue again?

Why do I need to get to know this Omega? Earn his trust? I have only been trained to protect him. I don't plan on getting close to any member of the pack that I will join.

I don't see the point. It's only a trial for the time being. Once the Beta Trials are over, I will return back home to my father. I may even be placed in a new pack.

I doubt I will stay with the same one.

"Is that all, Governor? Just… get to know the Omega?"

"Yes… and earn his trust…"

I lean back. I'm too afraid to ask why. But I am getting the odd inkling that I am being used like a puppet in his twisted games.

What interest does he have in that pack's Omega?

"That will be all now, Ms. Stone."

I rise from my seat, trying not to look too eager to leave. Something about his office is making me uncomfortable, but why do I have the impression that I just made the worst decision of my life?

What exactly did I sign up for?

I suppose only time will tell.