Seraphina’s POV

Five Years Later

"Mommy!" Adrian came running toward me, his little arms outstretched for a hug.

"What is it, sweetheart?" I asked, scooping him up into my arms as he giggled.

"Can we have pancakes for breakfast?" he asked hopefully, his small hands framing my face.

"Of course we can," I smiled, carrying him toward our tiny kitchen. Despite our modest circumstances, watching him grow up healthy and happy made every struggle worth it.

Adrian was my everything. Four and a half years of watching him grow, and still, every time he called me "mama", something in my chest would tighten with overwhelming love. His curly dark brown hair always seemed to have a mind of its own, bouncing as he ran and played with that laugh that could light up the darkest room.

But it was his eyes that stopped people in their tracks.

Deep blue, almost navy—except when the light caught them just right. Then they’d flash with silver, like liquid moonlight trapped in his gaze. The resemblance was impossible to ignore, no matter how much I sometimes wished I could. Those eyes were an exact mirror of the stranger from that night five years ago, the man whose face I’d barely seen but whose memory refused to fade.

It had been five years since I’d graduated from Silver Moon Harbor Business School. Five years since I’d left my foster parents’ house for good after discovering I was pregnant. I’d heard through the grapevine that Valerie and Gabriel had gotten married—anyway, I didn’t care about them anymore. All these years, I’d been working part-time while studying, determined to build a better life for myself and my child.

After leaving my hometown, I’d come to Silver Moon Harbor with barely enough money to rent a cramped basement apartment. That’s where I’d spent my pregnancy, working at a small café during the day and studying late into the night. The people in Silver Moon Harbor weren’t quite as dismissive of my omega status—while opportunities were still limited, at least I didn’t have bosses spitting at me or rolling their eyes every time I spoke.

After Adrian was born, we’d managed to move to a slightly better rental—still tiny, but warm and cozy in a way that felt like home. Ophelia had been my lifeline through it all, helping with babysitting and emotional support whenever I needed it.

But with that joy came mounting anxiety. I’d been working at a small marketing firm for over a year since graduation, and while my performance was excellent, my position and salary remained firmly at the bottom rung. The rent on our little apartment was about to increase, Adrian would need to start school soon, and my savings were dwindling fast.

I’d approached my boss about a promotion and raise, hoping my track record would speak for itself. But he’d just scratched his head awkwardly and said, "Seraphina, you’re one of the most dedicated employees I’ve ever had. Your work quality is outstanding, but we’ve never had precedent for paying omega staff at management levels. Having an omega in a leadership position would also raise questions from other employees. I’m sorry about your situation, but my hands are tied. Maybe you should try your luck at a bigger company."

The rejection stung, but I’d simply nodded and thanked him for his honesty. Even without overt hostility, the prejudice against omegas was still very real.

Later that night, I collapsed onto Ophelia’s threadbare couch, Adrian already asleep in her spare room.

"He actually said that?" Ophelia’s voice shook with anger as she handed me a glass of wine. "That your bloodline matters more than three years of perfect performance?"

"Not in those exact words, but yeah." I took a long sip, letting the wine burn away some of the day’s humiliation. "Apparently, being an omega means I’ve hit my ceiling."

Ophelia was quiet for a moment, then suddenly grabbed my wrist, her eyes lighting up with that manic energy that usually meant trouble.

"Wait. Wait wait wait." She pulled out her phone, scrolling frantically. "My dad was complaining last week about some corporate headhunter pestering his entire networking group. Something about Nightshadow Industries desperately needing qualified candidates for their executive offices."

My heart stuttered. "Nightshadow Industries? That’s—"

"One of the biggest corporations in Silver Moon Harbor, I know!" Ophelia was already typing furiously. "Sera, what if they actually meant it? What if a company that size doesn’t give a damn about pack hierarchies?"

"That’s a pretty big ’what if,’" I said, but I could feel hope kindling in my chest despite myself.

"So what?" She thrust her phone at me, showing a job posting. "What’s the worst that can happen? They reject you like every other company? At least you’d know you tried."

My heart skipped a beat. Nightshadow Industries? That was the largest corporation in all of Silver Moon Harbor, controlled by the Nightshadow family. Their patriarch was rumored to be one of the most powerful Alphas in the entire werewolf world.

Gabriel was actually from the Nightshadow family, but during our time together, while he was indeed wealthy, he’d always bragged about his brother being an Alpha—though I’d never met any of his family members, and he’d never offered me any opportunities or connections. I suspected he was just bluffing, probably nothing more than the most unwelcome nobody in that prestigious bloodline.

"But... I’m just an omega. Why would they even consider me?" I asked hesitantly.

"Bloodlines don’t determine ability! Bigger companies might actually be more merit-based!" Ophelia’s enthusiasm was infectious. "What do you say, Sera? Want to give it a shot? I can come to Silver Moon Harbor to help watch Adrian during the interview process!"

That night, I sat in our little apartment with Adrian curled up in my lap, weighing the decision.

"Ayla, do you think we should go for it?" I asked my wolf mentally.

"Of course, Sera. I believe in you," Ayla replied without hesitation. "You’ve come so far already. This could be exactly what we need."

The next morning, I submitted my application online. To my amazement, I received an interview invitation within just two days.

The interview was conducted by an elegant woman who appeared to be in her sixties, with sharp, intelligent eyes that seemed to see right through me. She carried herself with the kind of natural authority that commanded immediate respect.

"Miss Knight," she said, reviewing my resume with careful attention, "your academic record is impressive, and your work experience shows consistent excellence. But I’m curious about your motivation for seeking new employment."

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "As you can see from my qualifications, I believe I have exceptional work capabilities. However, my previous employer was unwilling to provide compensation commensurate with my performance, solely due to my... bloodline status. I’ve come here hoping to find an organization that truly values merit over hierarchy."

She studied me intently, her expression unreadable. "As a single mother, are you certain you can handle the demands of this high-intensity position?"

"Absolutely, ma’am," I replied with conviction. "My son is my greatest motivation. To provide him with a better life, I’m willing to give everything I have."

She nodded slowly, apparently satisfied with my response. "Excellent. Miss Knight, we believe in equal opportunity based on merit. We’re prepared to offer you triple your current salary for this position."

I could barely believe what I was hearing. "Thank you! Thank you so much! I... I promise I won’t let you down!"

Before I could fully process my good fortune, she continued with a more serious tone. "However, high compensation comes with high expectations. Previous candidates and new hires have rarely lasted more than a week in this role. I hope that doesn’t discourage you."

My confidence wavered for just a moment. "May I ask why the turnover rate is so high?"

A slight smile played at the corners of her mouth. "Let’s just say our Alpha has very exacting standards. He’s brilliant, but he can be... challenging to work with."

"I understand," I said, straightening my shoulders. "I’m not easily intimidated, and I’m used to working under pressure."

"We’ll see about that," she said, extending her hand. "Welcome to Nightshadow Industries, Miss Knight. You’ll be serving as Senior Assistant to the CEO. We’ll see you Monday morning at 8 AM sharp. Don’t be late—punctuality is non-negotiable."