Chapter 2

Six days left until I leave.

At 6:00 am, I received the official offer letter that had been hidden from me for an entire year.

The salary, research direction, and start date were all clearly laid out.

Attached was Leon's reply. "My wife has decided to stay in Serandor. Please handle all future communications through me to spare her the burden of choosing between family and work."

He hadn't signed on my behalf.

He had simply used his authority as a husband and Alpha to convince everyone that his choice was mine.

Two nights ago, he still didn't see the issue.

"We'll have other opportunities in the future. You were exhausted back then, and I didn't want you stressing over it."

"Why didn't you tell me I was accepted?" I asked.

He fell silent for a moment, then reached out to touch my shoulder. "I admit I handled it poorly. Once we wrap up the foundation's launch, we'll sit down and talk."

Another wait.

I had spent four years waiting for him.

I saved the original email and the entire forwarded thread.

Then, I replied to Silver Bay Healing Center, clarifying that I had never authorized anyone to reject the offer on my behalf.

The original position couldn't be brought back out of thin air. I attached my recent assessment results and asked if I could still submit a late application for their open short-term fellowship.

With that taken care of, I began handing off my responsibilities.

I transferred the schedule at the pup clinic to the supervisor on duty, passed drug procurement to the pharmacist, and returned the foundation's unfinished medical reviews to the professional committee.

I wasn't going to take my frustration with Leon out on patients awaiting care.

But I had no intention of keeping every position filled on my own either.

At 9:00 am, Beta Noah Gibson called. "Luna Irene, are you really transferring everything out? You've always handled them in previous years."

"In previous years, I took them on as extra responsibilities." I sent off the final handoff sheet. "From now on, please assign them according to official roles."

In the afternoon, I went to the rehab center in the north part of town.

Leon's mother, Martha Terrell, was working on her physical therapy. She had suffered a silver wound two years ago, and her knees still ached on damp days.

I stayed with her through the session and set a new appointment schedule on the table.

"Starting next week, Kate will accompany you. She's a licensed therapy assistant. You've met her before."

Martha took off her glasses. "Do you have other plans?"

"I'm getting back to work."

She didn't answer right away.

On the windowsill stood a photo of Leon as a teenager. Back then, he lacked the fierce edge of an Alpha, and his faint fangs showed when he smiled.

I used to love listening to Martha talk about his past.

I loved it so much that, without realizing when it started, every one of her checkups and preions had automatically become my responsibility.

"But Leon has council meetings next week," she said.

"I've sent him the schedule. He can decide how to arrange his time," I replied.

Martha stared at me for a moment before finally looking down to tuck the schedule away. "Alright. I'll speak to him."

That evening, Leon came home.

Noticing that I was still silent, he reached out and touched my shoulder.

"I never authorized you to decline it for me," I said.

"I've already apologized." He looked at me as if failing to grasp why a simple apology couldn't put everything back the way it was.

"You're the one I love. You're my mate. None of that has ever changed."

His phone rang right on cue. Livie's name lit up the screen.

Leon declined it once.

When it rang a second time, he answered.

She said she was struggling with the voiceover for the foundation's promo video. The deadline was tomorrow, and sitting alone in the recording studio was making her panic.

Leon closed his eyes. "I'll be there in 20 minutes."

When he hung up, he turned to me. "I gave my word to handle this. We'll have a serious talk once I get back."

I didn't ask anything more. He grabbed his car keys and left.