Chapter 2

I was the only one left in the office after I finished writing the report.

I unlocked my phone and noticed that Vera had posted several new updates to her social media account.

In the photo, she and Cain were in a forest, sitting in front of a bonfire as they roasted their catch. Cain elegantly sliced up the meat with a knife before offering it to her.

The caption read, "Meat that's personally prepared by an Alpha is definitely more delicious."

Wolves from other packs flooded the comment section, telling Vera and Cain how they were a match made in heaven. Some even asked when they could attend their mating ceremony.

Vera replied to the comments with an emoji of a sly but bashful smile.

Instead of hysterically calling Cain and demanding an explanation regarding his flirtatious relationship with Vera like how I would have done in the past, I calmly sent a message to him to inform him that I had completed the report. I then placed the report on his desk before going home.

…

I had just arrived home when I received a call from Cain.

"Leah. It's me, Vera. Thanks for working on the report. I'll treat you to a meal next time."

Vera's gentle voice came through the line the moment the call connected.

Before I could reply, Cain cut in. "Why are you thanking her? It's her job."

"She's your intended mate, Alpha Cain. You should speak nicely to her," Vera replied.

The familiar way they spoke to each other made it seem like they were the couple instead of Cain and me.

I scoffed.

Cain was always glued to his phone. He would get angry whenever I asked to borrow his phone for a short moment, berating me for invading his privacy. Surprisingly, he allowed Vera to use his phone without any hesitation.

It was obvious that they shared a special relationship.

Still, I was unnaturally calm at that moment. In the past, such a realization would make me feel as if my entire world was falling apart. Now, I simply didn't care anymore.

After bantering with each other for a bit, Cain and Vera finally remembered that I was still on the line.

"I'll be back soon," he said flippantly. "No need to wait for me. You should turn in early for the night."

He ended the call right after.

I knew that Cain's "soon" meant that he would only return in the next four to five days.

In the past, I would have waited for him, stewing in my own frustration and anxiety. However, I no longer cared about his return at that moment and calmly resumed whatever I was doing before I received the call.

I glanced at the calendar on the table.

A month ago, when Cain and Vera were on vacation, I had submitted a request to an elder to leave the pack.

As expected, Cain had been so preoccupied with Vera that he didn't even spare a single glance at my application before approving my request.

There was only a week left. Seven more days before my request would be processed, and I could leave the pack.

…

The next day, while at the office, I sent a message to my good friend in the Northcliff pack, Ella Proud.

Mom had married a wolf in the Northcliff pack when I was eight years old. As a result, the Alpha of the pack had hoped that I would also join them.

However, I had rejected his suggestion without any hesitation.

Ella had tried to change my mind, but I had been determined to stay by Cain's side and returned to the Southglade pack.

Now, I realized how much of a fool I had been.

Feelings could change overnight. I shouldn't have given up on everything for him.

When Ella answered the call, I explained everything that had happened. I had assumed that she would scold me, but she simply sighed.

"I told you that Cain wasn't a good match for you. I told you to stay with the Northcliff pack, but you wouldn't listen. I bet you're regretting your decision now, huh?"

She scoffed before asking, "Have you truly made up your mind to return to the Northcliff pack?"

"I have," I answered with a nod. "I've already submitted everything I need to leave the Southglade pack."

"Leave the Southglade pack? What are you talking about?"

The voice came from behind me, sounding surprised.

I turned just in time to see Cain walking into the room. I was racking my brain, trying to come up with an explanation, when his phone started ringing.

Vera had texted him. She said that she had come across an injured deer on her way home and had stopped to gather some medicinal herbs.

"Cute," Cain replied.

Vera's reply came instantly. "Who's cuter? Me or the deer?"

She then sent a selfie of herself pouting while gesturing at the camera with one hand and hugging the deer with her other hand.

Cain subconsciously grinned at his phone. "The deer's cute, but you're cuter."

When he finally remembered that I was there, he suppressed his smile and frowned. He looked at me and asked, "Didn't I tell you to turn in early for the night? What are you still doing here?"

The icy way he spoke to me was worlds apart from how he talked to Vera. It was also obvious that he had completely forgotten about how I had mentioned that I was leaving the pack earlier.

I chuckled. Not bothering to explain, I simply said, "There was something that I needed to work on."

"It's already so late. What were you working on? Why didn't you finish it earlier? I'm not trying to nitpick, Leah, but your habit of procrastinating is getting out of hand," he berated with a frown.

I didn't explain to him that my so-called procrastination was due to the fact that he always assigned work to me without warning. I didn't feel the need to argue with him about how I couldn't reject the work that he assigned to me until I was red in the face.

Cain didn't say anything else when I remained silent. He walked into his office and closed the door behind him. It didn't take long before the sounds of amused laughter resounded from within.

It was rare for me to hear him laugh so happily. He only seemed to feel such joy when he was with Vera.

I didn't care anymore.

I sat down at my desk and continued looking through the information about the Northcliff pack that I didn't get the chance to finish earlier.