Selene's POV
Days had passed since Ethan gave me the folder with the Beta candidates. I had barely slept.
Every night, I sat cross-legged on my bed with papers all around me. Résumés, evaluations, training scores. I read through each one like my life depended on it. Maybe because it kind of did. The Beta wasn’t just a second-in-command, they were my right hand, my shield, my voice when I couldn’t speak. I had to choose wisely.
I circled names, scratched some out, scribbled notes in the margins. But I wasn’t ready to decide yet. It felt too final. Like closing a door I wasn’t ready to shut.
Just as I was underlining the word “discipline” on a male warrior’s résumé, my phone buzzed.
Unknown Number: Kingdom Line
I picked up fast. “Hello?”
“Princess Selene,” the voice on the other end
