Chapter 8

Melanie's POV

I heard her words. I gave a bitter laugh in my heart.

I had certainly lost myself over the years. My whole life centered on Archer and Trista. I revolved around them. No wonder Skye thought that. But that was going to stop.

I was about to speak. Then a few people walked toward us.

Their scents mixed, coming from different packs. They were all werewolves.

The one leading them called out, "Skye!"

Their eyes slid over me. Their noses twitched, subtly assessing my scent.

"Skye, who is this?" one of them asked. His slit pupils were judging me.

Skye replied coolly, "An omega from our pack."

She deliberately hid my true identity. She probably thought knowing I was the Luna of the Razor Pack would embarrass her.

"Oh, an omega..." The men drew out the word. Their scorn was obvious.

In werewolf society, no one would care about an omega.

Judging by their clothes, they were high-status. They must have returned for the UCLA celebration.

After Skye's comment, only one young beta stared at my exposed legs for a moment. The others ignored me completely.

They gathered around Skye, ready to leave. Their scents carried a patronizing arrogance.

Before, I might have felt hurt by Skye denying my Luna title. Now, it was just ridiculous.

Just as they turned, I calmly released my Alpha aura.

It wasn't a brutal shockwave. It was steady power, like a deep-sea current. It quietly spread across the cafe floor.

Skye and her companions froze instantly. The fur on their necks bristled involuntarily.

Skye's face turned beet red. They were all werewolves. They knew the rank of that power.

How could someone releasing such strong Alpha aura be "just an omega"?

Skye's lie burst silently in the air, like a balloon popped by a claw.

I didn't say another word. I didn't reveal I was the Luna. I didn't call them out for their scorn. I simply picked up my purse and left.

The next day, I arrived at the office. My scent gland suddenly felt warm.

Frost urgently whispered in my mind, "It's Archer's cedar scent! It's faint, but it's him!"

I stopped short. I instinctively denied it. "No way. Trista and he should still be in London."

My wolf's mind was anxious and certain. "No. His scent has that familiar fir and cedar mix. Only he smells like that!"

Right then, I ran straight into Archer.

I had no idea he and Trista were back. Running into him at the office shocked me. I stopped dead.

The unbroken mating bond in my neck tugged at me weakly. It was a thin thread pulling my mind. I instinctively wanted to move toward him.

My gland was hot, almost numb. My scent nearly spilled out, out of my control.

But I clenched my jaw and my fists. I forced the urge down. The wolf hairs had barely emerged from my fingertips before I forced them back.

A flicker of surprise crossed Archer's eyes. His pupils narrowed into faint blue slits.

He clearly felt the bond's pull too. He hadn't expected me to fight the instinct to approach him.

But he didn't look at me again. He walked past me with a blank expression, treating me like a stranger. He turned and entered the office.

In the past, learning he was suddenly home would have thrilled me. I would have been super excited.

Even if I couldn't hug him, my eyes would have been full of him. I would have smiled and said "Good morning," even if he was cold.

Now, I glanced at his handsome face, then looked down. The old excitement and joy were gone.

I watched his steady, tall back as he walked away. I didn't know when he returned. But since he was back, the divorce should happen soon, right?

I had made up my mind. I didn't dwell on him anymore.

I returned to my desk. I immediately started working.

Half an hour later, Herbert called. "Make two coffees. Bring them to Archer's office."

I had spent a lot of time learning how to brew coffee. I wanted Archer to notice me. My effort finally paid off.

Once he tried my coffee, he requested mine specifically, whether at home or at the office.

I was thrilled when I knew he really liked it. I thought it was the first step to getting close to him.

In reality, I underestimated how much he disliked me.

He liked the coffee, yes, but only the coffee itself. He was still cold and distant toward me.

So, when he wanted my coffee, he always had Herbert contact me. Herbert would pick it up. He never let me get near him.

Only when Herbert was busy did I get a chance to deliver the coffee myself.

I made the coffees and walked toward his office with the tray.

His office door was open. When I reached the entrance, a strong, sweet orange scent hit my nose.

It was a shewolf's mating scent. It was sickeningly sweet, laced with seductive pheromones.

I froze. I saw Camille sitting on his lap. They looked like they were kissing.