Sold To My Fated Alpha

Chapter 6: Alpha Neil Faustino

Sheena

Cal wasn’t exaggerating about the distance. The boat engine droned for thirty minutes before another island came into view. It was smaller than the mainland harbor, but still massive, covered in thick groves of tall, dark pine trees that seemed to swallow up the light.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

I pulled it out. The screen showed a single line: Have you arrived?

The contact name read ‘Brother,’ but it was Aiden on the other end. He’d handed me this burn phone back at the penthouse with explicit instructions: text only when he reached out first, and keep every reply as short as humanly possible.

I typed back fast: Yes, just arrived at my new workplace.

I stared at the screen for a second, my heart racing as I hoped it didn't sound staged.

“Boyfriend?”

I flinched, shoving the phone away. Cal was leaning against the side of the boat right next to me, watching the hull scrape against the dock.

“My brother,” I said.

“Ah. That’s a relief.” Cal flashed that charming grin, tapping my shoulder lightly before hoisting my suitcase over his shoulder. “Let’s move, wouldn’t want the Alpha waiting for you.”

I followed him off the motorboat and onto a creaky wooden pier.

“Alright, simple directions,” Cal said, gesturing toward a opening in the treeline where a set of uneven stone steps wound uphill. “Follow those stairs, and they’ll lead you straight to the main house.”

I blinked, looking at the dark woods and then back at him. “You’re not coming with me?”

Cal smirked, a playful glint in his caramel eyes. “I appreciate how much you’re gonna miss me, Iris, but no. I’ve got errands to run. See ya!”

Before I could even protest, he hopped back onto the boat, cast off the line, and revved the engine. He sped off into the water without looking back once.

I hauled my heavy suitcase into my right hand and turned toward the dark path. I kept scanning the trees, expecting guards to step out from behind the pines, but there wasn't a single soul in sight. It made me wonder if the impossible defense Aiden talked about was just how isolated this place was.

By the time I reached the top of the path, my legs were burning and my throat felt dry. The trees opened up to reveal a two-story wooden cabin. It wasn't a giant fortress like I’d imagined; it looked warm, with orange light glowing through large glass windows.

I took a deep breath to settle my nerves, walked up the front steps, and knocked on the wooden door.

A moment later, it pulled open a few inches. An older woman with silver hair pulled back in a neat bun peered out at me. She looked to be in her sixties, her face lined with age.

“Hi,” I said, swallowing hard. “I’m Iris Maine. The new hire?”

Recognition flashed in her eyes, and her suspicious look melted into a soft smile. “Oh! We were expecting you’d be brought up by the Beta.”

My brow furrowed. “The Beta?”

She let out a weary laugh, rolling her eyes. “He didn't tell you, did he? Calvin. The Beta. He brought you over on the boat, right?”

I stood there, completely thrown off. Cal didn't act like any Beta I’d ever seen back home. Betas were usually strict, walking around with their chests puffed out, ready to bark orders or break a rib if you looked at them sideways. Cal just cracked bad jokes.

“Oh,” I muttered. “Yes. He said he had errands to run.”

“Most likely he just wanted to dodge the Alpha so he wouldn't get handed real work,” she said, stepping back to swing the door wide open. “Come in, child. Come in.”

I caught myself smirking a little. Cal definitely seemed like the type who’d spend more time dodging work than actually doing it.

Stepping inside, the cabin was gorgeous in a quiet, lived-in way. It smelled like cedar wood, vanilla, and burning pine. Deep brown leather sofas sat around a wide stone hearth where a fire was crackling, covered in thick wool blankets and fur throws. At the back, giant glass doors looked out over the dark ocean.

“I’ve been running this place by myself,” the woman explained, wiping a finger along a high bookshelf and showing me a faint coat of dust. “But my knees aren't what they used to be, and this house is too big for one pair of hands.”

She stopped near the foot of a wooden staircase and turned around. “Where are my manners? I’m Tenicia.”

“Nice to meet you, Tenicia. I’m Shee—” Panic flared in my chest, and I forced the rest of the sentence out before my real name slipped out. “I... I mean, I am a she,” I stammered, biting my tongue hard to pull myself together. “The name’s Iris.”

Tenicia looked at me, a subtle, amused twitch at the corner of her mouth. “It’s completely normal to be nervous on your first day.”

She turned and started up the stairs, gesturing for me to follow. I let go of my suitcase, setting it down at the bottom of the stairs to give my arm a break.

“I handle all the meals. Your job will be the standard cleaning, dusting, keeping the hearth stocked, and feeding the puppies. Speaking of... we’re right here.”

She stopped at an oak door at the far end of the second-floor hallway and gave it two firm knocks.

“Come in,” a voice called out.

Hearing him speak made my stomach drop. Deep, harsh, and loud enough to set off every alarm bell in my head. Sweat broke out on the back of my neck. If he caught my scent, if he smelled the lie on me, I was done.

Tenicia turned the knob, and the second the door cracked open, two tiny fluffy balls of black fur came tumbling out into the hall, barking incessantly.

“Dark! Shu! Get back in here!” Tenicia sighed, looking toward the desk. “I apologize, Alpha. I’ll catch them in a second.”

She nudged me through the doorway into the study.

Sitting behind a massive desk, rubbing the bridge of his nose, was Alpha Neil Faustino. He was much younger than I expected, but he was built like a bear—so broad in the shoulders he looked like he barely fit in his leather office chair. He had jet-black hair, and striking light gray eyes.

My breath caught in my throat as his gaze snapped up from his paperwork and landed on me.

His dark eyebrows pulled down into a hard line, his jaw tightening as his eyes locked onto mine.

“Get the f**k out,” he growled.