Chapter 5

I carried a glass of sweet wine and found myself a quiet, less crowded corner to sit in.

Sensing someone watching me, I followed my intuition and looked up. My gaze cut through the crowd and, sure enough, locked eyes with Alpha Nick.

It felt like Alpha Nick hadn’t taken his eyes off me since I finished playing the piano.

When he realized I was looking back, he seemed slightly uncomfortable. But I didn’t take it to heart—just cast him a lazy glance before turning my head away.

I ignored that faint flutter in my chest. I was destined to guard the Moon Temple. Fleeting emotions like this? They couldn’t hold me back.

I took a sip of my wine and lowered my head with a mocking smile, hidden from everyone’s view.

I knew exactly what Alpha Nick was thinking—how did I play the piano so well? A narrow-minded, arrogant man like him had probably been waiting for me to embarrass myself. Now he must be completely stunned.

Let him sit with that for a while.

I wasn’t interested in dealing with self-absorbed werewolves like him.

These three months—I’d just treat them as a test of my patience. Something to toy with before moving on.

After sitting alone for quite a while, I figured it was about time to leave.

Just as I was about to hail a car, Alpha Nick’s voice rang out behind me, awkward and stiff: “Who said you could leave without a word?”

I turned and saw him walking toward me. Clearly, he’d followed me out.

“And who said I needed your permission?” I replied coolly. “Alpha Nick, it’s after work hours. We’re not in a chain of command right now. What I do is none of your business.”

I knew it was probably the mate bond making him feel this possessive urge.

But I hated this uncontrollable feeling. It irritated me.

At that moment, a car pulled up. The driver got out and opened the door for us.

I recognized it instantly—it was Alpha Nick’s car.

Avoiding eye contact, he said stiffly, “It’s late. It’s not safe for you to take a cab alone. Come back with me. If anything happens—like a Rogue attack—it’ll fall on Brown Pack’s shoulders.”

I frowned. “If you’re afraid I’m after your money, save it. I’m not interested in what you people have.”

I started walking away, but Alpha Nick grabbed my wrist. His tone turned commanding. “Get in the car.”

I glared at him, deeply disgusted by the feeling of being controlled by a mate bond.

Alpha Nick added, “I gave our Pack’s old Alpha my word—I’ll spend three months with you. That means ensuring your safety.”

So that was it. He just didn’t want to be held responsible if something happened.

But what I sensed from him was curiosity—and excitement.

Ugh, enough already.

I yanked my arm away and wiped it off in distaste before getting into the car first, full of annoyance.

From the very beginning, I never believed anything would come from these three months. And now? Not only was Alpha Nick short-tempered and arrogant—he was terrible at communication.

What was our old Alpha Tim thinking? He’s always been so sharp—why go soft now?

Inside the car, we both sat in the back with a wide space between us.

I stayed in the same position I’d taken when I got in, watching the scenery blur past the window.

Alpha Nick suddenly spoke. “Your piano playing was… good. When did you start learning?”

I looked over at him, raising my brows. I expected surprise—didn’t think he’d actually ask.

“Was it good?” I said with a smirk. “I started learning secretly before I came.”

Alpha Nick: “…”

Seeing his speechless face made me grin. I decided to go all in. “Rina played it once, and I memorized it. Amazing, right?”

Alpha Nick turned away in irritation. “Talking to someone like you is impossible.”

“Then don’t. You started the conversation, remember? Not me.”

I turned away too, refusing to give him another glance.

We didn’t exchange another word until the car pulled up to the villa.

The moment it stopped, Alpha Nick got out fast. I, on the other hand, stepped out slowly, deliberately casual, and strolled inside.

He was sitting on the couch with a glass of water when I passed by. I didn’t spare him a glance and headed straight upstairs.

I heard the heavy thud as he slammed the glass down on the table.

Unbothered, I kept climbing the stairs.

What did he think this was, kindergarten? Throwing things to get attention from his crush?

All that over one little joke? Clearly, this guy wasn’t as composed as he pretended to be.

And this was the guy running Brown Pack? Aren’t they afraid he’s going to ruin the whole damn Pack one day?

The Next Morning

During breakfast, I had to endure another round of Mrs. Johnson and Enna’s snide remarks and passive-aggressive jabs.

I treated them like air. No matter what they said, I gave them nothing.

They clearly weren’t getting the reaction they wanted and ended up fuming silently.

I, on the other hand, considered it a morning show—watching two clowns perform. I didn’t take it seriously at all. After breakfast, I headed straight to work at Brown Pack.

I was highly competent. The secretary work they gave me was barely a warm-up. By lunchtime, I’d finished everything and even had time for a break.

At 3 p.m., I’d just stepped out to use the restroom. When I came back, a stack of files had magically appeared on my desk.

Seeing Mary standing nearby, I knew immediately she was behind it.

With a smirk, I asked, “What’s this?”

Mary replied in her usual commanding tone, “These need to be entered into the system by end of day. There was supposed to be another team member helping, but they had an emergency and took the day off. So, it’s all on you now. Got it? It needs to be done—every number checked and recorded. The report’s due tomorrow.”

I skimmed through the documents. Everything needed to be manually input into the system. It was tedious work and would take hours—no doubt I’d have to work overtime.

And nightfall wasn’t far off. I hated working after dark.

Annoyed, I asked, “If it was so urgent, why didn’t you give it to me earlier?”

Mary, all righteous indignation, replied, “The original plan changed. I just got the instructions from higher up. These kinds of last-minute issues happen. What’s with the attitude? Are you complaining? Wendy, even if you are the Moon Goddess’s chosen mate for Alpha Nick, since you’re working at Brown Packhouse now, I assume you plan to take your job seriously, right?”

Of course, I knew what Mary was playing at.

But since I’d taken this job, I’d do what was expected.

“Of course,” I said, sitting down and opening the files.

On the computer screen, I caught Mary’s satisfied smirk. She must’ve gotten the instructions long ago and waited until now on purpose. That other colleague? Probably never even existed.

Unless I stayed until 10 p.m., there was no way I’d finish all of it. I’d probably end the night with aching shoulders and a sore back.

“Make sure you double and triple check everything. One wrong number and the entire report will be off.”

I shot her a sharp look. “You done? If you’ve got more to say, say it now.”

“…No.”

“Then please leave. Don’t you have work of your own?”

With other staff watching, Mary couldn’t say much more.

She gave me a vicious glare and stormed off.

I was sure she was cursing me in her head.