Chapter 5

Ella's POV

I didn't bother turning around. "Anything else you want me to add?" I kept my tone flat.

There was a pause, and after a few seconds, just as I started to walk away, he finally responded. "I'll send you the picture and the payment."

"Okay." I kept walking. Once I was inside the cab, I checked my phone and saw the picture he'd sent. Ironically, it was my favorite cake. Did he even know that? Probably not. He'd never paid attention to what I liked or disliked.

I rejected the payment he sent and shoved my phone into my pocket. I could already picture his annoyed reaction when the alert popped up. He hated being rejected.

That night, I wandered through the central park of Werewolf City. The place was packed with weres, most of them with their mates, openly affectionate and unafraid of who was watching. Meanwhile, Alpha Carson couldn't stand public displays of affection.

Maybe he just hated doing it with me.

I sat alone on a bench, gazing up at the full moon, the distant howls of wolves echoing through the night. Some teens must have been going through their first transformation.

My phone buzzed, it was Alpha Carson. I answered without a second thought. "Hello?"

"Where are you?" he asked, his voice tinged with what sounded like concern.

"In the park. Why? Need something?"

"Thanks for the cake. It was delicious, as always," he said softly.

In the past, hearing those words would've sent me over the moon, making me giggle with happiness. Now? They felt hollow.

There was a pause before he added quietly, "I know it takes a lot of effort to make."

Before I could respond, Anna's sugary voice came through the line. "Ella!" she chirped, sweet and light. "Alpha Carson told me you made the cake for my birthday! You're so talented! I wish I could do that, but, you know, I'm such a klutz. Alpha Carson always calls me his little dummy."

I could practically see her pouting through the phone. My brows furrowed.

"Will you come to my birthday party?" she added.

But before I had a chance to answer, Alpha Carson cut in, his tone firmer, "You don't need to come." Then he hung up.

I hadn't planned on going anyway. He didn't need to tell me that.

As I continued walking, my phone pinged with a new message from him, pinned with his location and a note: "If you stop by, grab a bag of chips for my secretary."

I sighed heavily, glancing up at the moon with a faint, sarcastic smile.

Following the pinned location, I entered the private room, bag of chips in hand. Inside, a few of Alpha Carson's employees were celebrating, laughing, and drinking to the beat of rock music. Some glanced my way, their expressions curious, wondering what I was doing there.

My gaze landed on Alpha Carson, who was feeding Anna a slice of the very cake I'd baked. She looked up at him with wide, adoring eyes, like they were the perfect couple.

Lovely. Just lovely.

My wolf stirred, itching to put Anna in her place, to show her that she shouldn't be all over our mate. But I held her back, knowing I couldn't afford to lose control.

I walked toward them. Anna spotted me but completely ignored me, wrapping her arms around Alpha Carson's neck in a clear attempt to make me jealous.

Nice try, but I wasn't biting.

Alpha Carson noticed me, his expression hardening as he glared at me. His eyes silently asked why I'd shown up.

So, it was his precious secretary who sent that message.

Anna broke away from him, practically bouncing toward me. "Ella!" she greeted, her voice as sweet as honey.

Alpha Carson stepped forward quickly, his face twisted in irritation. "Why are you here? I told you not to come," he muttered, trying to keep the situation low-key.

I was about to answer when Anna cut in, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "Oh, I'm sorry, Alpha Carson. I tricked Ella into coming because I wanted some potato chips," she said, flashing him an innocent look.