Chapter 2

Ever since I discovered that Ruby had been marked, it felt as though my soul had briefly slipped from my body.

In my past life, I had to beg Jace desperately just to receive that mark on my body, and yet, he bestowed it upon her after only a single night.

When we arrived at the office, Jace gathered everyone together. Our pack members surrounded us, eyeing us with curiosity, though I caught a few glimmers of subtle malice.

This was all too familiar to me.

Back at the werewolf academy, I had always been a top student, excelling in academics, sports, and extracurriculars, while demonstrating a natural aptitude for leadership.

After our wolves awakened, Jace took over his father's position as Alpha of the Blackfrost pack, as well as the role of CEO of Fenwick Group.

Determined to be worthy of him, I started in an entry-level position at the company, worked harder than anyone else, and delivered impressive results. I frequently came out on top in competitive situations, which earned me no shortage of detractors among the pack.

"Starting today, Ruby Vale will also be joining the company. Please, everyone, help her get settled in," Jace said.

The pack members erupted in applause and cheers, and some even called out her name a couple of times.

As a response, Ruby offered them a shy smile, lifted the hem of her dress, and gave a small curtsy to the group.

As the crowd dispersed, Jace approached me. He said, "Take care of Ruby for me. Make sure you show her the ropes."

I let out a soft, dry laugh. "She's my sister. I know what to do. No need to trouble yourself."

Jace frowned, as if wanting to say something more, but he ultimately turned and walked away instead.

A surge of irritation rose within me. He'd been giving me a cold shoulder since this morning, but why? And how did he dare?

Ruby called out to me, her voice gentle. "Riley, could you get me a cup of coffee?"

I pointed toward the break room. "The coffee machine is right over there."

Ruby tugged on my arm. It was a childhood habit and her way of coaxing me. "You know I don't know how to use it. Please? Pretty please, with a cherry on top?"

I sighed and headed toward the breakroom.

However, a few colleagues were chatting in the breakroom, making no effort to keep their voices down.

"You all noticed, right? Ruby smells like Alpha Jace."

"Yeah! So, she and the Alpha are that kind of involved?"

"Not that it's a surprise, though. Ruby's so gentle and easygoing. Who wouldn't like her?"

"Then what about Riley? Alpha used to be so protective of her… I honestly thought…"

"Ha! She struts around like a proud peacock every single day. Do you think she'd have landed such a core position in the company without the Alpha's protection? Well, now that the Alpha's got someone else, let's see how much longer she can keep acting so arrogant with us!"

I couldn't take it anymore. I lightly coughed a couple of times and walked into the break room.

They froze when they saw me, but the look of panic vanished almost instantly, replaced by mocking laughter.

"Riley, you heard everything, didn't you? Too bad that everything we said is the truth."

They then broke into laughter, brazen and bold. "Someone like you, with a mind obsessed with power struggles—you're really not very popular at the office, you know."

I took a deep breath, barely managing to suppress my rage. Ignoring them, I walked straight to the coffee machine and pressed "Start".

The mug quickly filled with hot coffee. As I picked up the mug to leave, a foot shot out and tripped me over. At once, scalding coffee splashed all over me, burning my arm, and I let out a sharp, guttural growl.

Sensing my anger, the Beta wolf who tripped me shifted into an aggressive stance and unleashed his pheromones without a shred of restraint. The pressure was suffocating.

Before long, other pack members gathered around. Jace hurried through the crowd and let out a fierce roar.

"Stop that!"

The Beta wolf immediately dropped his hostile posture, but I remained slumped on the floor, writhing in pain.

"Don't you know that shifting and getting into duel fights are strictly forbidden on company premises? Do I really need to remind you of the rules?" Jace demanded.

The Beta pointed at me. "Riley attacked us first! Everyone here can vouch for that!"

The others in the breakroom nodded in quick succession. Jace narrowed his eyes at them, then shifted his gaze to me. "Is this true?"

I pointed to my scalded arm. "Can't you see I'm the one who's been hurt instead?"

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Jace's eyes, but he quickly composed himself.

A voice spoke up from behind him just then. "Alpha, everyone saw what happened. We can't shield her, even though she's my sister, after all."

Jace stopped looking at me and gestured dismissively. "Riley has broken the rules. Lock her in the 'calming room' for 24 hours."

I gave up struggling, letting them drag me away and toss me into that pitch-black "calming room".

Within the pack, the Alpha's word was absolute and couldn't be defied.

In the past, Jace would always stand by my side, encouraging me to pursue my ambitions and do whatever I set my mind to. But now, he was no longer on my side.

Those in the pack who had long resented me but had been held back by their fear of the Alpha's authority had finally found their chance to strike.

It was high time I left the pack.