"Where is that ledger? I am certain I kept it somewhere here.." Ethan muttered to himself, as he rummaged through the papers on his desk. 

At that moment, a soft tapping at his window made him pause, and a smile spread across his face as he saw the intruder.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't come tonight." He said, watching Ava carefully maneuver herself over the window. 

"And miss seeing my favorite person?" Ava grinned, brushing off her simple dress after jumping down. 

"Though I must say, your wall gets more challenging every time I climb it." She added half-seriously. 

"Then perhaps you should use the door like a proper lady." Ethan teased as he walked across the room to get to her. 

"Oh yes, I'm sure that would go splendidly." Ava began with a firm nod of her head switching to an exaggerated formal tone. 

"Good evening, I'm the omega from the kitchens, here to see your son in his bedchamber.' Your father would be thrilled." She said sarcastically. 

Ethan chuckled then pulled her into his arms, breathing in her familiar scent.

"I have missed you terribly." He said. 

"It has only been two days." Ava laughed softly, melting into his embrace.

"Two days too long." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. 

"Tell me, has anyone been giving you trouble? I noticed Thomas ordering you about in the courtyard yesterday." Ethan said, a small frown appearing on his handsome face. 

"Nothing I can't handle." Ava said assuringly as she played with the collar of his shirt. 

"Though Lady Hazel did have me scrubbing the same pot three times today because it wasn't, and I quote, 'sparkling like her white teeth." She added and chuckled but Ethan growled angrily. 

"That old witch, I should—" He was saying. 

"Should what?" Ava raised a questioning eyebrow and placed a finger on his lips. 

"Challenge the head cook on my behalf? Really, My brave protector, always ready to fight my battles? Do you think that will make it get better?" She asked but with a grateful smile on her face. 

"I hate seeing them treat you this way. You are worth more than all of them combined." He said, holding her hand tenderly in his. 

"Such sweet words from the Alpha's son

 One might think you are trying to win my heart." She teased him. 

"I believe I already have. Unless you have given it to another?" He murmured, drawing her closer.

"Never. My heart belongs only to—" She was whispering lovingly to him but got interrupted. 

The door suddenly flung open, making them both jump apart. Victoria stood in the doorway, her eyes widening at the scene before her.

"Wait, what is this that I am witnessing?She drawled, her lips curling into a sneer at the sight of Ava. 

"Victoria, listen, this isn't..." Ethan knowing how his elder sister could be, started in warning, stepping forward. 

"Isn't what, dear brother? Isn't exactly what it looks like? An omega whore seducing the future Alpha?" Victoria snapped furiously. 

"Don't you dare speak of her that way." Ethan snarled.

"I better take my leave now." Ava stated sharply, moving toward the window. 

"I was just—" She tried to give her reason for being there but did not any sensible thing to say. 

"Just what? Cleaning his room? Is that what you were about to say?" Victoria demanded with a scoff. 

"She doesn't need to explain herself to you." Ethan retorted. 

"Of course, she does, Ethan. What would Father say if he knew his heir was consorting with kitchen trash?" Victoria snapped again. 

Ava gritted her teeth, her anger rising. 

"That is enough!" Ethan bellowed, his voice rising but Ava shook her head in disapproval of what he was doing. 

"I will leave." Ava said, hoping that would let peace reign. 

"Not so fast. Since you are so eager to be in our wing of the house, you can make yourself useful. My chamber needs attending to." Victoria commanded. 

"She is not your servant, Victoria." Ethan protested.

"Isn't she? Last I checked, that is exactly what omegas are for. Unless... you are claiming her as something else?" Victoria cocked a questioning eyebrow. 

"It's fine, Ethan. That is what I do all the time." Ava quickly said. She knew letting him claim her publicly would be facing his father's wrath as well as other members of the pack. 

"See? She knows her place. Come along, little omega." Victoria said with a satisfied smirk. 

"Victoria, I swear if you harm her—" Ethan started.

"You will do what? Tell Father? Please do. I'm sure he would love to hear all about this." Victoria challenged. 

"I can handle myself. Trust me." Ava touched Ethan's arm gently and said.

"Such a brave little thing. Follow me." Victoria said mockingly. 

They got into Victoria's room then Victoria locked the door.

"On your knees." She commanded out of the blues. 

"I thought you wanted me to clean..." Ava said, her voice wavering slightly.

"Clean? Oh, you simple creature. Did you really think that is why I brought you here?" Victoria asked cockily and laughed. 

"Then why did you?" Ava asked, swallowing hard. 

"Because someone needs to teach you your place in this world. You may have my brother fooled with your innocent act, but I see right through you." Victoria said as she started approaching Ava predatorily. 

"I have done nothing wrong." Ava insisted, standing her ground.

"Nothing wrong? Yet, you dare to sink your claws into my brother, to think you could ever be worthy of him? An omega trying to climb above her status—that is wrong enough." Victoria spat. 

Then, Victoria's eyes changed color, indicating that her wolf was at forefront and her claws started appearing. 

"Oh, no!" Ava gasped and stepped backwards instinctively. 

"Now, kneel before your better, omega. It is time you learned what happens to wolves who forget their place in the pack." Victoria growled, her voice deepening with the partial shift.