The elevator chimed open,and I stepped into Stone Lake headquarters for the last time.
One month. That was the deal—thirty days to tie up loose ends,smooth over trade negotiations,and clean up the mess Mia had made pretending to be Luna. Today,my contract expired. Today,I walked away for good.
The thought should have made me feel nothing but relief. And it did—mostly. There was a restaurant reservation waiting for me tonight,a silk dress hanging in my closet,and a man who actually wanted me for who I was.
Still,my chest tightened as the familiar glass doors came into view. Old habits die hard.
The perfume hit me first. Sickly sweet,cloying. I didn’t even need to see her to know.
"You scheming bitch," she hissed,her eyes flashing amber as her wolf pushed forward. "I knew you couldn’t be trusted."
Artemis growled deep in my chest,but I kept my expression neutral. After eight years as Gamma,I’d perfected the art of not revealing my emotions.
"Good morning to you too,Mia," I replied coolly,walking past her toward my office. "I have reports to file,so if you’ll excuse me—"
She grabbed my arm,her claws partially extended,pricking through my silk blouse. "Don’t you dare walk away from me! You think I don’t know what you’re doing? You sent those pictures to Jasper,didn’t you?"
I blinked,genuinely confused. "What pictures?"
Mia laughed,the sound brittle and unhinged. "Playing innocent? The club footage of me with Reed! "
Ah. So someone had finally exposed her affair.
"I didn’t send anything to Jasper," I said honestly. "But don’t kid yourself—he could’ve dug it up on his own. You weren’t exactly subtle,Mia."
Her face contorted with rage. "LIAR! Who else would have motive? Since your pathetic resignation stunt,everything’s fallen apart! Jasper barely looks at me,he’s restricted my access to pack finances,and he’s questioning every decision I make!" Her voice rose to a shriek. "He’s treating me like I’m nothing—all because of YOU!"
Artemis snarled,but I held back. This drama wasn’t worth my energy anymore.
"Your relationship problems with Jasper aren’t my concern," I said,my voice steady. "If he’s upset with you,perhaps you should examine your own actions instead of blaming others."
"You’ve always wanted him for yourself," she spat,stepping closer. "Eight years panting after him like a desperate bitch in heat. Did you think your little resignation would make him realize he loves you? Did you think he’d come running?"
Her words stung,but not the way they once would have. The ache was familiar,almost dull now. Silvano’s scent still lingered on my skin from this morning. His ring caught the light as I lifted my hand.
"I’m engaged to be married,Mia," I reminded her,holding up my left hand where Silvano’s impressive ring caught the light. "Unlike some,I don’t chase after other women’s mates."
Her eyes narrowed to slits. "You expect me to believe you’re suddenly over him? After eight pathetic years?"
"Believe what you want." I shrugged. "By sunset,I’ll be gone. I don’t have the energy to care what you think anymore."
"You ruined EVERYTHING!" she screamed,lunging for me.
I easily sidestepped her attack—my combat training was far superior to hers—but she managed to grab a handful of my hair,yanking hard enough that I felt strands ripping from my scalp.
Artemis roared within me,demanding release. With practiced control,I allowed just enough of my wolf’s strength to surge through my arms as I grabbed Mia’s wrist,applying precise pressure to force her to release me.
"Don’t touch me again," I warned,my voice dropping to the dangerous tone that had made pack enforcers tremble during training sessions.
"Or what?" she challenged,raising her hand again. "You’ll—"
The Alpha command hit the room like a thunderclap,making both of us flinch instinctively. Jasper stood in the doorway,his broad shoulders filling the frame,his expression thunderous.
I braced myself for the inevitable. This was how it always played out—Mia caused problems,I defended myself,and somehow I ended up being the villain in Jasper’s eyes.
Except...something was different this time.
"Mia," Jasper’s voice was dangerously quiet. "My office. Now."
Mia’s mouth fell open in shock. "But Jasper,she—"
"NOW." The command vibrated through the air,heavy with Alpha authority.
The word cracked through the room like a whip. Mia froze,then stalked off,but not before throwing me a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
When she was gone,Jasper turned to me. His eyes softened,just slightly. "Are you alright?"
That threw me more than Mia’s claws had. I smoothed my blouse. "I’m fine."
He stepped closer. Too close. That pine-and-spice scent wrapped around me like a ghost,and Artemis whimpered at the memory.
"Your trip," he asked,his voice rough,"was it successful?"
"Yes." I kept my tone professional. "All three packs renewed their agreements. The papers are ready for your signature." The most update n0vels are published on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝙣𝙚𝙩
He nodded,running a hand through his dark hair—a gesture I knew meant he was struggling with something. "Have dinner with me tonight," he said finally. "To discuss the agreements."
I blinked in surprise. "We can discuss them now,in your office. It won’t take long."
"Freya," he said,my name sounding different somehow on his lips. "Please. Just dinner."
Once,those words would have broken me. Once,I’d have said yes before he finished asking. But that girl was gone.
"I can’t," I said softly but firmly. "I already have plans."
His jaw clenched. "Cancel them."
"No." I met his eyes,steady. "You should focus on your mate. She seems... unsettled."
"Mia is not your concern," he growled.
"Exactly." I let a humorless smile tug at my mouth. "And my fiancé is not yours."
Something dark flashed in his eyes. "Your fiancé," he bit out. "Alpha Silvano Moretti."
"Yes." I lifted my chin. "We’re going to dinner tonight. To celebrate. So if you’ll excuse me,I have a few last reports to finish before I leave—for good."
I walked past him,heart pounding,but my steps never faltered.
The sharp crash of glass against the wall rang out behind me. I didn’t have to look back to know—it was the crystal paperweight I’d given him years ago,shattering into pieces.
A slow smile curved my lips as I entered my office.
By tonight,I’d be free.