Chapter 8 Chapter 8

I stood in the glow of the setting sun, watching him through the kitchen window.

His face was lit up with smiles as he typed on his phone-no doubt texting Vanessa.

The lighter scorched my fingertips, the plastic casing growing hot.

I let it fall into the iron fire pit, defeated.

Flames licked at the photo, illuminating our faces-me beaming, so happy on the day we'd sealed our bond under the ancient oak, his eyes once full of nothing but me.

Then the image twisted, melted, and crumbled into black ash.

"What're you burning?" Alpha Adrian's voice broke through as he finally noticed.

I tilted my head back, forcing down the tears.

"Nothing," I said, turning to him with a soft smile.

"Just some. useless scraps from the bond ceremony."

Alpha Adrian glanced at the iron basin billowing thick black smoke, his brow furrowing like I'd lost my mind.

"Why not just bury them? The earth would take them."

"Burning it's cleaner," I replied, my voice steady. He scowled.

The next morning, the repair shop called-my car was fixed.

As I went to pick it up, I remembered the blazer and my promise to return it clean.

Dialing Frank, I confirmed the car repairs, sent the bill, and added,

"One more thing-sorry to pry, but what's the owner's height, weight, and measurements?"

I asked because the blazer was part of a custom set.

The wolf had lent me his coat out of kindness; I didn't want to leave him in a bind.

I'd buy a new blazer and trousers to match, a small repayment for his decency.

Frank was speechless, the line going quiet for so long I thought we'd disconnected.

No reply came.

Maybe he needed to check with the owner?

I shrugged it off, starting my car and heading toward the main road.

At the next intersection, the financial advisor called to confirm some numbers for the upcoming hunt.

My forehead wound had nearly healed, so I turned toward the pack's administrative lodge.

After days on leave, my team swarmed me in the project wing, asking how I was.

I hadn't told them about my resignation yet.

I swung by the financial advisor's office, then holed up in mine, tackling a backlog of work.

By afternoon, I'd drafted my resignation letter, planning to hand it to Alpha Adrian before the day ended.

But in the break room, grabbing a cup of herbal tea, I overheard something that turned my stomach.

"Word from the reception desk-Vanessa, the fourth daughter of Quinnvale's head, started working here today. Alpha Adrian set her up in his private office, right next to his."

"Are the Blackwood and Quinn clans merging? That would make our territory unbeatable."

"What about Vivian? She's Alpha Adrian's bonded mate, marked under the full moon!"

The group went quiet, exchanging looks before sighing and whispering about Vanessa's boldness, my raw deal, and Alpha Adrian's cold heart-how he'd tossed aside nine years of bond like a worn-out blanket.

I stood outside, listening in silence, my grip on the tea cup tightening until my knuckles whitened.

Back in my office, I stared blankly at my empty cup, then grabbed the printed resignation letter and headed upstairs to the alpha's floor.

At Alpha Adrian's floor, Ryan intercepted me, looking panicked, his tie askew.

"Vivian, Alpha Adrian's in a private meeting. Bad time-really."

I gave a knowing "uh-huh," turning like I was leaving, then spun back when Ryan relaxed, striding past him with the quiet speed.

Sometimes, I hated myself.

Why get worked up over a wolf I was done with?

But emotions were a leash-I couldn't help it, not when my bond was being trampled on.

I gripped the doorknob, twisted, and shoved it open.

A scream rang out.

Vanessa, wrapped only in a silk robe, was draped over Alpha Adrian's back, pressing kisses to his neck.

The door's sudden swing startled her senseless, making her jump.

Alpha Adrian's smile froze, his hand still resting on Vanessa's thigh.

Ryan looked like he was about to keel over, covering his eyes.

"Vivian, it's not what it looks like! Vanessa was helping with the clan maps, got overheated, and. used the shower in the attached bathroom. I didn't want you to get the wrong idea, so I-"

My gaze flicked to Ryan, a mix of pity and exasperation.

"Ryan, you're a top advisor, and you're out here playing lookout for a cheating alpha? The elders would strip you of your rank for this."

I stepped inside, the scent of Vanessa's flowery perfume clashing with Adrian's familiar piney aroma, a sickening combination that made me want to gag.

Vanessa straightened, pointing a finger at me, her robe slipping off one shoulder.

"What's that supposed to mean, Vivian? You're just a staff in the support wing, barging into the alpha's office! You're dismissed, effective immediately!"

I reached the desk, set my resignation letter down with a soft thud, and spoke calmly, like I was discussing the weather.

"I already told you I'm quitting. I've got a lot to prep for my trip, so I'm done here starting tomorrow. I'll come back to wrap up any handovers with the team."

Alpha Adrian avoided my eyes, staring at the letter like it was a venomous snake. "Whatever you want."

I nodded. "Cool."

I glanced at Vanessa, then back to Alpha Adrian, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"So. keep 'bonding'? Don't let me interrupt the important 'meeting'."

With a cold smirk, I turned to leave, my shoulders back.

Two steps out, Vanessa's shrill voice cut through, desperate to prove herself.

"What we do is none of your business! You think you're something special? He loves me. We've spent so many nights together, in your bed, under your roof-"

"Shut up!"

Alpha Adrian barked, his face flushed with either anger or embarrassment.

I took a deep breath, my nails digging into my palms.

I turned, every muscle in my body tense with suppressed rage.

"Let her talk. I'd love to hear how thick the Quinn clan's little she-wolf's skin is. How proud her father would be to know she's crawling into another wolf's bond bed."

My eyes lifted to Vanessa, sharp as a blade.

"Love or no love, you're the side piece. I walked through that door, and that means I can go to the elders, show them the proof, and have you both publicly shamed, your names dragged through the mud for generations. Got it?"

"You calling me a shame to my clan?"

Vanessa screeched, charging at me like a rabid pup.

I didn't hesitate, landing a sharp slap across Vanessa's face, the sound echoing in the quiet office.

When Vanessa lunged again, I ripped the robe off her completely and shoved her to the floor, pinning her head down with one hand, the other holding the robe like a trophy.

"Stay down, little cub. You're out of your depth."

Before I could lower my hand, a force yanked me back-Alpha Adrian, his face twisted with rage.

I stumbled, my lower back slamming into the edge of his desk, a sharp pain shooting through me, like I'd been kicked by a stag.

Cold sweat broke out as I gasped, unable to make a sound, the world swimming around me.