Chapter 3

A few werewolves nearby rushed to defend Chanelle.

"Alpha, please don't be angry," one said quickly. "Chanelle's just upset—her mate dumped her last night, and she's been emotional ever since."

Another chimed in, half whispering, half gossiping, "I heard they spent the whole night together, and then he went off messing around with another she-wolf."

Chanelle sniffled loudly, grabbing a tissue from a male assistant and dabbing at her eyes.

"All male werewolves are the same—worthless!" she cried, before burying her head against the werewolf's chest, her gesture deliberate, taunting.

Nicholas looked calm, but his stiff shoulders betrayed him.

"The cup didn't hit you, did it?" he asked, turning to check me over carefully.

Only after confirming I was fine did he call over his assistant. "Take Luna out for a walk."

He adjusted my collar tenderly, the picture of a devoted mate. "I've got a special gift for you later at noon," he said to me.

But as he passed Chanelle, his voice turned cold.

"You're the lowest performer in the entire sales department of our pack. I expect a plan on my desk by noon. If I'm not satisfied, don't bother coming in next month."

The room went silent. No one dared to breathe until after he left—then whispers rippled through the office.

"Our Alpha can't stand Chanelle," one said. "No matter who messes up, he always blames her. He's always scolding her in front of everyone."

"Yeah," another replied, "last time he yelled at her for two hours straight. She came out with her eyes swollen and legs shaking—had to take two days off after that."

A chill spread through me.

So that was it. That was how Nicholas had kept his affair with Chanelle alive for a year—hidden behind false cruelty and public humiliation.

His assistant led me to the lounge, poured me a cup of coffee, and smiled politely. "Luna, your relationship with the Alpha is really something special."

I looked toward Nicholas's office and couldn't help the quiet laugh that rose in my throat.

"Is it?"

On my phone screen, the feed from the office camera flickered to life.

The moment he walked in, his whole demeanor changed. He slipped an arm around Chanelle's waist, leaning in to kiss her.

She turned away with a pout. "You left me out there last night. I caught a cold. I don't want your kisses."

Nicholas caught her hand, his voice soft, almost pleading.

"Baby, don't be mad, okay? I saw you with another werewolf earlier, and it drove me crazy."

Chanelle eyed him slyly, dragging out her words. "Then tell me—who do you love most in this world?"

He pulled her close, his voice low and thick. "Of course it's you. I could die on top of you and be happy."

Her smile widened. "What about compared to Julie? Who do you love more?"

His face darkened instantly.

"Chanelle," he said sharply, "the one I love most in this life is my Luna. Don't push this too far. Don't you dare let Julie find out."

Aya's voice burned in my head, 'Those two disgusting bastards!'

Chanelle flinched at his tone but quickly softened, tugging at his belt with a coy smile.

"I know. I won't bother Julie."

Nicholas's breath grew heavy. His hands slid beneath her blouse as he murmured, "Did you lock the door?"

"It's locked," she whispered. "Your Luna won't find out."

Then she kissed him. Their bodies tangled together, lost in each other.

My hands shook so violently that I could barely hold the phone. Every instinct in me screamed to storm into that office, to tear through the lie of us.

But Aya stopped me. 'Record it,' she said. 'You'll need proof.'

I hit record.

I couldn't understand it. Nicholas wanted her that much—so much that even with me still in the building, even in broad daylight, he couldn't control himself.

Where did that leave me? His Luna? The she-wolf he'd sworn before the Moon Goddess to love above all else?

What was his love worth now?

It felt like something inside my chest was being ripped apart by invisible hands.

Nicholas had been lying to me all along.

And I had no reason left to keep lying to myself.

It was time to leave him.