Chapter 3

That afternoon, my best friend, Layla, dragged me out for a farewell drink. As she raised her glass to congratulate me for finally leaving a rotten relationship, my phone vibrated. It was a call from the Council’s assistant.

“You need to get back to the office, Jade. Right now.”

I grabbed my coat and placed a stack of cash on the table. Layla did not ask anything. She only held my arm for a moment before saying, “Go ahead.”

When I arrived at the Council, I saw many entry‑level employees crowding the corridor outside my office. They stepped aside to let me through, and their silence felt like a funeral procession.

Sapphire stood at the door giving loud instructions. My files, which held years of research, negotiation results, and contracts I had worked hard on, were scattered across the floor like trash. Two muscled men struggled to move my office table toward the elevator.

“Stop.” I walked quickly toward the door and stared at Sapphire. “Who gave you the authority to touch my things?”

Sapphire could not hide the delight in her eyes. “Jonah gave the orders. He said you ruined the hospital contract because you were negligent during the authorization process. You lost the right to your office. He told me to move you downstairs to the public offices.”

Heavy footsteps echoed behind us.

Jonah pushed through the crowd and frowned when he saw the mess. “Sapphire, I only told you to change Jade’s office. Who gave you the right to touch her things?”

For a brief second, I almost believed he was finally drawing a line. Sapphire looked up with trembling lips and teary eyes. “I did not do this on purpose. I only wanted to help her.”

Jonah’s anger faded at once. He sighed and looked at me. “Do not be mad at her, Jade. She signed the contract, but you were in charge of the project and the supplier. You need to take responsibility. You must bear the consequences.”

He stepped closer and tried to place his hand on my shoulder. “The timing works out. I saw the flight ticket you booked to Sovereign Moon Pack, but I cannot accompany you. It is a busy time for me.”

I stepped back. “I never planned for you to accompany me. I am going back because—”

“Are you going back for the Moonpick Ceremony?” Jonah cut me off with an exasperated smile. “Stop playing games to force me into a mate bond. Sapphire told me everything. Your pack does not force anyone into a mate bond.

“Go home for a few days to rest. Everything will return to normal when you come back, and all of this will be forgotten.”

Sapphire hid behind him and added softly, “You should not lie even if you wanted a mate bond with Jonah, Jade.”

I studied her coldly. She wore this season’s latest haute couture dress with expensive diamond earrings and a limited edition handbag. It was an outfit she could not afford with her salary.

When Sapphire first left the pack, she had nothing. I paid her rent and taught her how to survive in the city. Now she hid behind my boyfriend, used his money, and accused me of lying.

If she wanted to take the shameless route, I had no reason to hold back. I took several personal receipts from my bag and placed them on the table for everyone to see. “Sapphire, that haute couture dress you are wearing, which costs twenty thousand, was bought with Jonah’s supplementary card.

“Jonah also paid the rent for the large condo you live in. Those diamond earrings were the highlight of the auction last week, and Jonah bid on them for you.”

The room erupted with whispers. Sapphire’s face turned pale, and she looked ready to faint. I stared at Jonah’s frozen expression and let out a cold laugh. “You always said you wanted to help Council members in difficulty, Jonah. Do you see anything about Sapphire that looks difficult? Does she look like someone who needs financial help?

“While you tried to save her, you allowed her to step on me. Tell me, Jonah, which one of us looks more like your legitimate girlfriend?”

The employees looked at Sapphire with clear disdain.

Jonah clenched his jaw, and his neck turned red with anger. “That is enough,” he said through his teeth. “Do you need to make this sound worse than it is?”

I instructed the employees to return my things to my office, and everyone conveniently ignored the demotion Jonah had given me.

Jonah turned away and pulled Sapphire with him as he left in a foul mood.

Once everything settled, I returned to my office table. That was when the Alpha of the Sovereign Moon Pack called. “Are you sure you are coming back to Sovereign Moon Territory, Jade?” His voice sounded hopeful. “If you are sure, I will send some Werewolves to the border to welcome you.”

A sincere smile formed on my face. “I already bought the plane tickets, but do not tell my grandma yet. I want to surprise her.”