Chapter 3

Ella's POV

Before I could respond, his phone buzzed. He didn't even glance at me before reading the message. "Actually, something came up. Next time, alright?" he said, then hurried out to his car.

I could feel the servants' eyes on me, their curiosity obvious, but I ignored them. Stepping outside, I made my way to the waiting taxi.

I looked up at the overcast sky. "Perfect," I muttered bitterly. Rain was coming, and I'd probably be soaked by the time I got home.

At work, everyone noticed my limp, their pity and concern written all over their faces. Adele, one of my coworkers, came over. "How are you doing? I heard about what happened… you were almost killed."

I opened my laptop, staring at the hundreds of unread emails. "I'm fine, thanks for asking." I forced a smile, but it didn't reach my eyes.

"You know, Miss Wesley is so lucky. Alpha Carson saved her. Honestly, I think they're in a relationship, even if they deny it. I'm kind of jealous of Miss Wesley," Adele sighed.

"Yeah, they do make a great pair. Maybe she's his real mate," I replied, faking a smile as if I was thrilled by the idea.

I didn't have the right to tell anyone the truth, not that they'd believe it anyway. Alpha Carson was my mate, my boyfriend, but he treated me like just another employee.

When the head manager called Adele away, I was left alone in my cubicle, exactly where I wanted to be, alone, focused on my work.

Later, I went to the pantry for some tea, but I froze when I overheard my coworkers talking.

"Did you hear the rumor that during the meeting with the stakeholders, Alpha Carson actually carried Miss Wesley after she spilled coffee on herself? Just a little stain on her white sleeve," one of them said, her voice practically swooning.

"Seriously? Why don't they just make it official already? It's obvious they have feelings for each other," another one chimed in, sipping her coffee.

My hand trembled, and the mug slipped from my grip, shattering on the floor, just like my heart in that moment. I could feel my wolf's sadness mixing with my anger. I was so tired of hearing these rumors about my mate and his secretary.

They all turned to look at me. Ignoring the cut on my hand, I gathered the broken pieces and tossed them in the trash. They pointed out my bleeding, but I didn't acknowledge their concern as I left.

By the time I left Wayvere, it was pouring rain. I checked my phone, there was a message from Alpha Carson asking which milkshake flavor I wanted.

I turned off the screen and waited under the building's awning for my taxi. I hadn't brought an umbrella, no coat either, and the wind was freezing. My cut still throbbed, taking longer to heal without a proper bond with my mate.

The rain only got worse, and I was already soaked from the wind whipping it under the awning. I was shivering by the time my taxi finally pulled up. Once I got inside, my phone rang. It was Carson.

"Honey, you're not at the office? Your manager said you left early. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," I said, leaning back as the car pulled away.

"You didn't answer about the milkshake. What flavor? I remember you kept asking for one."

I closed my eyes. "I don't want it anymore."

"Where are you? It's pouring out there."

"Heading home. Not like I have anywhere else to be," I answered, but then my phone pinged with a message from Anna, clearly sent by mistake.