Hannah walked through the long corridor of her father’s estate, which once belonged to Aire’s father.

Her steps were measured, and soft against the polished floor. The servants she passed lowered their heads immediately, and stepped aside immediately, avoiding her wrath.

At the far end of the corridor, there was a pair of heavy doors. Dark wood, carved with patterns that told stories of wolves who had taken more than they were given.

Hannah stopped before it. She did not knock, and just pushed the door open. The study greeted her with dim light and stillness.

Beta Kole sat behind his desk.

His had a parchment before him, which his attention remained on. His hand moved slowly, as he wrote. The scratch of ink against paper was the only sound in the room.

Hannah stepped inside and closed the door behind her. The sound echoed softly... then disappeared.

"What do you want this time?" He asked calmly, with warmth in his voice.

Hannah moved forward, unbothered.

"I need a lot of things right now but I don’t think you’d appreciate being rushed," she replied, just as calm.

That respond earned her a glance.

Then his gaze dropped back to the parchment. He adjusted the glasses at the bridge of his nose. "You think too much," he said.

"I would like to speak right now," Hannah returned lightly, stopping a few steps from the desk.

A familiar silence stretched between them.

He finished what he was writing before setting the quill down. Only then did he lift his gaze fully to her.

"What do you want?" he questioned, going straight to the point.

Hannah remained standing. Her posture was relaxed but deliberate. "The next ball," she said.

"What about it?"

Hannah tilted her head slightly. "We should use it."

Beta Kole’s eyes narrowed for just a fraction of second. "For what?"

Hannah’s lips curved faintly into a small smile. "For me." She said simply, expecting the words to explain themselves.

When Beta Kole said nothing of understanding, Hannah continued. "Aire is Luna now," she said, her tone even. "Whether the Moon Goddess approves or not... the court already does."

Her fingers traced lightly over the edge of the desk as she spoke. "Her presence carries weight. Influence. Attention."

Beta Kole leaned back slightly in his chair, with his eyes fixed solely on her. "And?"

Hannah met his gaze fully. "And I intend to stand beside it." She said unapologetically. "I want a match," she added simply. "A high one."

His eyes stayed on her, unblinking. "That has been my aim for your from birth. I even made you friends with the Alphas for that to work out but they barely recognise you," he said.

Hannah smiled faintly. "I might not need them anymore."

Beta Kole shook his head. "We’re not using anything related to Aire."

Hannah didn’t react immediately. She shook her head. "I’m not asking for permission to use her," she corrected calmly. "I’m asking you to recognize that she can be used."

Beta Kole’s jaw tightened slightly.

"She is a problem," he said.

Hannah’s brows lifted just a fraction.

"A problem that now holds power," she countered. "That makes her useful. She isn’t just a slave anymore."

His hand tapped once against the desk. It was a slow, deliberate sound. "She should have been dead already."

The words fell into the room like something heavy.

Hannah stilled.

"Michelle hasn’t done the work I placed her there for," he continued, his voice lowering. His gaze hardened. "I don’t pay for hesitation."

Hannah exhaled slowly.

"She’s inside the castle," she said carefully. "That requires patience."

"I need results."

There was no room for argument in his tone.

"I will eliminate her myself if she continues to fail."

Hannah’s fingers stilled against the desk. "And Aire?" she asked quietly.

Beta Kole didn’t hesitate. "She’ll die soon. Give me time."

Hannah studied him for a moment. "You’re rushing everything right now." she said. "You should listen to me for a moment, don’t you think?"

His eyes snapped to hers. "I don’t rush."

Hannah shook her head in disagreement. She rose her hand over her head in fistration, and dropped it down almost immediately. "You do when something unsettles you."

"When did you start worrying about her?" he asked. The question came so suddenly.

Hannah blinked once, then smiled. "I don’t worry about her." She said it lightly. It was the truth. "At least, not the way you think."

She straightened slightly. "I just know opportunity when I see it." Her gaze sharpened. "And right now, Aire is one."

Beta Kole watched her. Longer this time. He was visibly searching for something beneath her words.

"You want a high-ranking match," he said slowly.

"Yes."

"And you think she can give you that."

"I think she can make it easier."

Hannah tilted her head slightly. "You always taught me to take advantage of positioning."

"I taught you to survive at the top of the ladder," he corrected.

"And I am," she replied softly. "She’s more useful than ever now, and she’ll be of no se to us if she dies."

"You’re overestimating her."

Hannah’s lips curved faintly. "No," she said. "I’m placing her correctly, and exactly where she should be place for out benefits. Imagine earning a place in the court with her influence."

That earned her another long look. Beta Kole leaned back fully. His fingers steepled together thinking.

The room grew quieter.

"I’ll go to the castle."

Hannah’s eyes flickered in hope.

"I’ll speak to her myself."

That was not what she expected, but she didn’t show it.

"Today?" she asked.

"Yes."

His decision had already settled.

Hannah nodded slowly. "Be careful." The words slipped out before she could stop them. She coukd still remember what Aire did to the council member and she would forever be sure that Aire killed her mother.

Beta Kole’s gaze snapped to hers again. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Careful?" He almost sounded amused.

Hannah held his gaze, and nodded.

"She was never anything." He said softly, as if to calm whatever fear or doubt she has in her heart. "She’s wolfless."

He stood. "Prepare yourself for the next ball," he said. "If you want a match... you’ll earn it."

Hannah inclined her head. "I will."

He moved past her without another word. He walked towards the door, opened it, and closed it behind him.

The silence returned.

Hannah remained where she was. Her fingers lifted slowly, brushing against the surface of the desk where he had sat moments ago.

Her lips pressed together faintly.