Mine to Give, Not Yours to Take

The lights in the room were blinding.

I calmly folded the last of my shirts to pack into the luggage when the door opened. Jonah Gregor’s tall figure appeared, and his hand paused halfway through loosening his tie when he saw the luggage on the floor.

“You are home early. Have you eaten?” Jonah sounded natural, as if he had not thrown our mate ring into another woman’s hands only hours earlier.

I felt tears rising, but I held them back and continued packing.

Jonah was doing it again. He pretended nothing had happened, the same way he did after every argument. Each time, he coaxed me gently, bought me gifts, or held me from behind at night, and I always gave in. I always let the argument fade away.

I felt too exhausted tonight. I no longer had the strength to fight for us. “Did your wonderful secretary, Sapphire Kane, tell you what I said?” I did not look at him.

Jonah’s face darkened. “You brought Sapphire into the Werewolf Council, Jade, and now you act like she is the enemy. Who are you really angry at?”

A bitter laugh almost escaped me. He was right. I had brought Sapphire into our world because both of us came from a small pack in a remote area.

We came from a forgotten territory deep in the Northern forest. Before I left, the Alpha of our pack, the Sovereign Moon Pack, pulled me aside. “Take care of her. Werewolves like us need to help each other for a better life.”

That was why I brought Sapphire into the Werewolf Council when she could not find a job after graduation. I taught her every rule and did everything I could to protect her. She had been quiet, sweet, and grateful, and I never noticed how her gaze followed Jonah whenever he entered a room.

To be honest, a man like Jonah drew attention everywhere. He was a powerful Alpha, the chairman of the Mainland Werewolf Council, and an investment tycoon with a net worth in the billions.

Many women in the city watched him, but he never looked at them. That was why I thought Sapphire’s crush was harmless, and I ignored it. This continued until that meeting.

Sapphire made a careless mistake that almost caused a massive loss, and I gave her a verbal warning according to Council rules. I was not harsh, and my tone was not malicious, but Sapphire started crying as if I had humiliated her.

Jonah lost his temper and yelled at me in front of everyone. “That is enough, Jade. Sapphire is a young Werewolf who just left her small pack. Do you need to be so harsh?”

His words cut through me, and I held back my tears. “Her mistake means all of us must work overtime until midnight for the next three days.”

Jonah only gave a careless laugh. He acted as if the loss of millions and the extra work meant nothing. He looked around the room at the Council members. “Are all of you planning to gang up on Sapphire? Fine. From today onward, Sapphire will work in my office as my private secretary. She will report to me directly.

“Anyone who gives her trouble should resign from the Council.”

He left the room without looking back, and Sapphire ran after him with admiration in her eyes.

I blinked hard to push the memory away.

Jonah stood beside my luggage and stared at me with a cold expression. I did not know when it started, but as time passed, he stopped caring about my feelings. Every conversation became a battle he wanted to win. The Werewolf who once postponed meetings to stay with me and promised never to make me cry no longer existed.

My phone lit up. [Your flight details have been confirmed. Your flight to Sovereign Moon Territory will be three days later at 6.10 am.]

I stared at the screen for a long moment before standing to face Jonah. “You are right, Jonah. I made a fuss over nothing and asked too much from you.” My heart felt like it was breaking, but I forced myself to continue. “You will not need to tolerate any of this anymore.”

Jonah froze. A frantic look flashed in his eyes. He had expected anger, but I only admitted my mistakes.

Silence filled the room. Jonah pulled off his tie and spoke in a cold voice. “Do whatever you want.”

He slammed the door as he left our condo and did not return that night.