Xavien slipped his arms around me from behind, his lips brushing my shoulder, blocking any chance of escape. “I can be gentle,” he whispered, his breath warm against my skin.
“I’m exhausted and in pain. I’m not in the mood!” My voice cut sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t bear his touch right now.
He stared at my complete disinterest, frustration etched into every line of his body. An Alpha werewolf wasn’t used to rejection, especially from his mate.
He released me, his expression unreadable. “Get some rest, then.”
Without another word, he turned and left the room.
***
The next day, in the most elegant western restaurant near Blood Moon…
“Celina, you’re really leaving?” Jasmine’s eyes were red-rimmed, voice trembling as she spoke. In the private room, the core members of the project department gathered around the dining table, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken sorrow. The usual sparkle of champagne was absent, the red wine untouched. What had once been a cheerful gathering felt more like a somber farewell.
“Yes,” I lifted my wine glass, forcing a smile that didn’t reach my tired eyes. “I’m sorry to leave everyone like this.”
“But you’ve given so much to Blood Moon,” another team leader, Tom, interjected eagerly. “We all remember how you climbed every step, working tirelessly. At first, some said you relied on connections, but every project you led shattered records. Even our competitors admit Blood Moon’s market share is because of you.”
“Absolutely,” Linda from marketing chimed in, squeezing my hand with a wistful sigh. “I remember the day last quarter when the project succeeded-you were so excited, like a child. More invested in the company’s growth than even Alpha himself. We all thought… you’d soon become the official Luna.”
Before anyone could speak further, an awkward silence fell. Everyone knew about the woman from the Ward family, and that topic was unbearably sensitive now.
“Let’s not talk about that,” I said softly, shaking my head with a hint of relief. “I have my reasons. If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
Jasmine’s sobs broke through again, her voice shaky. “What will we do if you leave? The lady from the Ward family can’t even operate Excel…”
“Speaking of which,” Alex from Human Resources suddenly spoke up, his tone serious, “have you considered the Silver Peak Pack?”
The mood at the table shifted instantly; even Jasmine’s tears paused.
“I heard their Alpha’s son just returned from Wall Street and is actively recruiting, especially for a chief secretary. The salary is said to be double what Blood Moon offers.”
“You mean Sebastian Black?” Linda exclaimed, releasing my hand. “The business genius, cold and ruthless, with incredibly high standards? The Wall Street Journal reported he quadrupled his family’s fortune in three years!”
My eyes gleamed with a new spark. Silver Peak Pack-the most prestigious wolf pack in the region… Maybe this was another path fate had laid out for me.
Celina
“Are you seriously suggesting that our Celina should take up a job as a secretary? Have you completely lost your mind?” one of my coworkers blurted out immediately, disbelief coloring her tone.
“Our Celina is exceptional in every way-young, stunning, and with an impeccable track record. Any executive in the business world would be desperate to have her on their team. If she steps into the talent market, headhunters will be on her trail from miles away,” another chimed in with confidence.
I simply smiled quietly, choosing to keep my thoughts to myself.
The truth was, they had no idea just how keen those headhunters’ instincts really were. About ten days earlier, I’d already received a discreet call, someone subtly probing about my future career plans. This had happened long before any rumors about my departure from the Blood Moon Pack had even started circulating outside.
The chatter around me continued unabated.
“Don’t be so short-sighted! It’s not just any secretary position-it’s chief secretary to the heir of the Silver Peak Pack! That role opens doors to the highest circles of power and influence in Port City. If she plays her cards right, her future could be limitless,” another colleague argued with enthusiasm.
“I know a story about a chief secretary at an overseas company who was so capable she climbed her way up to Vice President in just a few years. She even found true love and became the Alpha’s mate,” someone else added, eyes shining with excitement.
“Well, hearing it like that, maybe I should apply too,” joked another, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“What does this Silver Peak heir even look like? Has anyone actually seen him? Is he handsome?” The conversation had clearly drifted into territory I wasn’t eager to engage with.
“No one really knows. Of the four children in the Black family, only the eldest daughter has ever appeared publicly. The other three remain shrouded in mystery,” came the whispered reply.
The discussion wandered further away from anything professional.
I couldn’t help but smile wryly at their hopeful excitement. Watching them so eager for romance made me feel like a jaded nun who had long since seen through the illusions of worldly attachments. Love? That was a chapter I would never revisit.
But career opportunities… that was a different story altogether.
I had been toying with the idea of starting my own business, but a harsh truth had settled in: nearly all my professional connections revolved around Xavien. Once I cut ties with him completely, who would still care to acknowledge me? I desperately needed to bolster my credentials and forge my own independent network.
Later that evening, I dialed Yvonne, a well-connected socialite who glided effortlessly through the elite circles of werewolf society, to ask about the Silver Peak Pack and their enigmatic heir.
A lazy laugh rippled through the phone. “Asking about another man? Aren’t you worried your Alpha mate might get jealous?”
“He can be jealous all he wants. It’s no longer my concern,” I replied, my voice cold and detached.
“Darling, you two… you haven’t officially split up, have you?” Yvonne’s curiosity was clear.
“Not officially. Not yet,” I answered cautiously.
My subtle reply was enough for her to understand the situation. She sighed deeply on the other end. “So the rumors I’ve been hearing are true. Eight years together, and Xavien treats you like this? That man is absolute trash.”
Yvonne had always been refreshingly blunt. I seized the moment to play the sympathy card. “That’s exactly why I need to look out for myself now. I heard the Silver Peak heir is recruiting a secretary. I’m thinking of trying my luck.”
“Wait-let me get this straight. Are you after the man or his money?” she asked, direct as ever.
I didn’t even flinch. “At this point? I worship only one thing-cold, hard cash.”
“Oh my god,” she burst out laughing-low, rich, and a little wicked. “Girl, say no more. I’ll make sure you meet this ‘god’ in person.”
“Thank you,” I said simply.
“You’ll hear from me soon,” she promised before hanging up.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at my laptop screen. The information on the man I was researching was sparse-almost nothing.
“Sebastian Black…” I murmured his name, trying to piece together what kind of man this so-called god of money really was before I had to face him in person.
Lost in thought, the door to my study suddenly opened.
Xavien stepped inside, having just come in from outside.
I quickly shut my laptop.
We each had our own studies in the house. In the early days, when our love had burned fiercely, we stuck close together. But over time, we had morphed into something more like a boss and employee-returning home after work only to continue avoiding one another.
“Do you need something?” I asked, looking up at him.
“Do I need a reason to come in?” His voice carried a hint of challenge.
“…No, of course not.” I thought bitterly, When I’m gone, you can come in here and run around naked for all I care.
Xavien’s eyes narrowed suspiciously as they flicked to my computer. He noticed how I’d closed it the moment he entered, clearly hiding something.
He settled into one of the lounge chairs in my study. “There’s something I wanted to discuss with you beforehand.”
“Go ahead,” I said, bracing myself.
Xavien lowered his gaze, thinking for a moment. “Cira wants to join your project department.”
I had already suspected that his unusually polite tone meant trouble, but his words still hit me like a sucker punch to the gut.
“There are so many departments in the company,” I said, my voice dropping to an icy edge, “and she wants to pick the project department? What a coincidence.”
“Watch your words.” Xavien’s face darkened immediately, and the Alpha’s commanding presence filled the room. “It’s called enthusiasm for work. She wants to prove her abilities and earn her merits. That’s something to encourage, not to twist into malicious speculation.”
I almost laughed at the absurdity of his defense. “Proof of competence? Whatever department she chooses to play her Alpha heir game in-I don’t care. But not the project department!” My voice shook with anger. “That’s my department! Those are people who’ve stood by me for years!”
“That’s enough, Celina!” He snapped to his feet, his Alpha fury chilling the air between us. “Wake up! You’ve quit! You’re no longer part of the Blood Moon Company! The project department isn’t yours anymore!”
It felt like something was squeezing my throat. Yes, he was right. The Blood Moon Pack was his domain, not mine. What was I? What right did a human about to leave have to dictate his decisions? He could take my eight years of hard work and my new love, and I wouldn’t even have the right to protest.
Seeing my reaction, Xavien softened his anger slightly and continued, “Don’t paint her as some villain. I promise she’s not going there to cause trouble. I’ll keep her in line.”
“Whatever,” I muttered, my voice barely audible.
I was drained. I had stopped caring.
Frustration flickered in Xavien’s eyes. “The reason I came to tell you this was to avoid exactly this reaction-you getting upset. I know you have strong hostility toward Cira. I know you don’t like her. But can’t you see my difficult position? Our packs are in the middle of a business partnership. Do you expect me to jeopardize relations with the Shadow Pack just to satisfy your personal feelings?”
His twisted logic stunned me.
What had I done wrong?
First, this woman stole my mate, then she took over my career achievements, and now I was expected to bow and smile while it all happened?
A bitter laugh escaped me.
When grief reaches its peak, laughter truly becomes the only response. I could almost taste the iron of blood rising in my throat.
Three days later, I returned to the company to complete the handover process.
Cira swept in wearing a sharp Chanel suit, carrying herself like a conqueror as she claimed what had once been my office.
She had already discarded all the furniture and decorations. The wall of achievement awards I had painstakingly collected over years of hard work was now casually dumped into a garbage bin.
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