Chapter 3

Before I could answer, the office door opened again.

Seraphina glided in, walking straight to Bruce’s side and leaning affectionately against his arm.

She was wearing a light purple dress, a silk scarf artfully draped to half-conceal the mating mark on her neck. She looked fragile and lovely.

“Sorry to interrupt, Bruce,” she said with a sweet smile. “I brought breakfast for everyone.”

Bruce’s expression softened instantly. He wrapped an arm around her waist. “Are you feeling better?”

“Much better. With you by my side, I’m not afraid of anything,” Seraphina murmured, pressing against him.

I watched them, a familiar sting piercing my heart.

Just then, the other core pack members started trickling in. Bruce looked around the room and cleared his throat.

“Since everyone is here, I have an official announcement.” His arm tightened, pulling Seraphina closer. “Seraphina will soon be my Luna.”

The room erupted in applause and congratulations.

“Congratulations, Alpha!”

“An Alpha and a true Alpha heiress! A power match made in heaven!”

“Our pack is going to be stronger than ever!”

Seraphina beamed. “Thank you, everyone. Bruce and I will have our official mating ceremony soon. I hope you can all be there.”

“Of course! We’ll be there to celebrate!”

Everyone crowded around them, offering their best wishes. The atmosphere was electric.

I stood in the corner like an outsider, silently gathering my things from my desk.

That’s when Seraphina noticed me. She walked over gracefully, a gentle smile on her face.

“Isadora, you’re here. I’ve heard you’ve always been Bruce’s most capable assistant. Thank you so much for taking care of him all these years.”

Her voice was sweet as honey, but her eyes held a flicker of contempt that only I could see.

“I’ll be the lady of the pack now,” she continued, her voice as soft as a whisper. “Could you tell me some of Bruce’s preferences? I want to take the best possible care of him.”

I looked up at her.

She was playing the part of the gracious Luna, but every word was a declaration of ownership, every glance a mockery of my low status.

Before I could answer, Bruce walked over. He draped a possessive arm around Seraphina’s shoulders, his voice tender.

“Darling, I’ll tell you everything you need to know. You don’t need to ask an outsider.”

Outsider.

The word struck me like lightning, and I froze.

Eight years of partnership, eight years of devotion, and to him, I was just an “outsider.”

Seraphina snuggled closer to him. “You always know how to take care of me. Can we go see your office? I want to see where you work.”

“Of course.” Bruce kissed her temple. “I’ll give you a tour.”

They walked away, leaving me standing there alone.

The others eventually dispersed, returning to their work. Only Sarah remained, looking at me with concern.

“Isadora, are you okay? You look terrible.”

I shook my head and continued packing.

My heart was being torn to shreds, but I couldn’t break down here.

Ten minutes later, I had all the handover documents ready. I took my signed resignation and walked to Bruce’s office.

Through the glass door, I could see Bruce showing Seraphina the things in his office. She listened intently, letting out a silvery laugh now and then. They looked so perfect together, so in love.

I took a deep breath and knocked.

“Come in,” Bruce’s voice called.

“Isadora? What is it?” He frowned, clearly annoyed by the interruption.

Without hesitating, I placed the resignation letter on his desk.