Chapter 6
What’s wrong with me?
The answer was simple–I had already decided
to leave. But saying that out loud wouldn’t make a difference. So instead, I gently patted Alpha Waldo’s hand, masking my resolve with a
calm smile.
“We’ll talk about it after I’m done, okay?”
He hesitated, searching my face for answers, but I didn’t give him any. Turning away, I walked into my supervisor’s office, the door clicking shut behind me.
My supervisor greeted me with an enthusiasm I hadn’t seen in a long time. “Valerie! You’ve
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outdone yourself this time. The feedback on your latest paper has been phenomenal!”
He leaned forward, his grin faltering slightly. “But… are you absolutely sure about the Special Forces Project? It’s not glamorous. It’s grueling. Combat training day in, day out. Isolation from your pack. Most wolves can’t
handle that.”
I nodded without hesitation, the memory of Waldo’s patronizing words still fresh in my mind.
“I can handle it,” I said, my voice quiet but firm.
His expression softened into a look of pride. “I’ve no doubt you’ll excel. You’re one of the best in your field–personally recommended by the Shadowcrown Pack’s Chief Trainer for this
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opportunity. Let me make something clear: I’m the lucky one to have you on my team.”
I thanked him and left the office, feeling a mix of pride and determination. But as I stepped into the hallway, a familiar face caught my attention.
My colleague Eva was glaring through the window, her fists clenched at her sides.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She spun to face me, her indignation spilling out. “Miss Valerie, wasn’t that your mate I just saw outside? Drinking bubble tea with some woman?” She practically hissed the words. “Doesn’t he respect boundaries? Isn’t this basically betrayal?”
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Her words hit harder than I expected, but I forced a faint smile. “It’s fine. That’s his… sister.”
Her expression shifted from outrage to disbelief. “Sister?”
I didn’t blame her skepticism. Waldo’s relationship with Alanna had always raised eyebrows. He’d lost both his parents young, and Alanna’s family had taken him in. Years later, when Waldo found success, he naturally helped Alanna–his so–called sister.
But Eva wasn’t buying it. “Sister?” she repeated, her voice laced with derision. “That’s classic green tea behavior! She’s clearly overstepping. Valerie, let me handle this for you. I’ll tear her apart!”
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I grabbed her arm before she could storm off. “No, don’t. It’s not worth it.”
I’d tried fighting this battle before. Arguing, accusing, demanding explanations. And every time, Waldo would fix me with that cold, impassive stare and say, ‘Valerie, you’re being ridiculous. You, of all people, should understand my relationship with Alanna. Jealousy like this is beneath you.’
He was right. Jealousy was beneath me- because there was no point in fighting for something already lost.
I let out a slow breath and turned to Eva. “I’m leaving soon,” I said softly. “Please help me keep it a secret.”
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Her eyes widened in surprise. “Leaving? What about the wedding?”
I shook my head, the weight of my decision settling over me. “No. I’m not going through
with it.”
The words felt foreign on my tongue, but they were the truth.
Before I could explain further, a familiar voice sliced through the air, sending a shiver down my
spine.
“Valerie, where are you going?”
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. Slowly, I turned to see Alpha Waldo standing a few feet away, his eyes locked on mine.
