Chapter 13 What Is Happening
"Is there anything else you want me to do, Alpha?" I asked in a calm, solemn tone.
He looked at me briefly before he started walking back to his desk. "Yes, Diana." I watched as he sat on his chair, placed the file on the desk, and pushed his chair closer. "There will be a lot for you to do at the Luna Ball. I want you to be there. My mother wants this to be special for my mate."
My breath cut in my throat as I listened to him. The ache in my chest was starting to feel unbearable, but I steadied myself. Maybe he had noticed my behavior around him and wanted to set things straight.
"Alpha…" I mumbled, fiddling with my nails as I tried to think of what to say. I knew it was part of my work, but the thought of standing there while he crowned another woman made something inside me twist painfully.
"I… I won’t be able to come," I whispered.
He paused. His attention shifted back to me.
"I have to help my mate’s mother. She’s sick." The lie came out before I could stop it. My heart sank as soon as the words left my mouth.
Warren’s expression changed instantly. His face didn’t drop completely, but something inside his eyes dimmed. His jaw tightened just a little.
"I see," he said quietly.
Guilt swept through me, hot and sharp. "I’m sorry, Alpha. I… I really need to be there for her."
He nodded once. "It’s alright. That will be all."
The tone of his voice made my stomach twist. I bowed slightly, grabbed the file on his desk, and quickly walked out of the office before my emotions betrayed me.
Once the door closed behind me, my legs felt weak. I headed straight for the restroom, pushed inside, and locked myself in one of the stalls. I sat down on the toilet and covered my face with my hands.
Why did I lie?
Why would I say I had a mate?
I didn’t even know what I was doing anymore.
Something was happening to me. It was like every time I was near Warren, my mind stopped working and my wolf pushed feelings I wasn’t used to. I hated the way my heart reacted to his voice, his presence… everything about him.
He had a mate. A mate that would be crowned Luna in front of the whole pack.
What was I even thinking?
"You need to stop," I whispered to myself. "Stop clinging to someone who has a mate. You’ll only lose your job. You can’t let your wolf mess things up."
I didn’t know if my wolf could hear me, but I needed to say it out loud.
After sitting there for a long while, I finally stood up and walked to the sink. The mirror showed my tired eyes and the small stress lines around my brows. I brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear and forced a soft breath out.
The restroom door opened, and I turned around hastily to check who it was, my breath steadied when I saw that it was Cora.
She stepped out of one of the stalls, humming as she walked to the sink next to me. She turned on the tap and washed her hands before glancing at my reflection.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Kind of," I answered with a small smile.
She nodded. "I understand. When I first started working here, every day felt like I was drowning. But you get used to it after a while."
"I hope so," I said softly. "I’m trying my best."
Her smile warmed. "You’re doing fine. Don’t worry."
I nodded, appreciating the kindness. Not many people here bothered to talk to me.
"So… are you going to the Luna Ball?" she asked. "Everyone got invited. I’m curious to see what the Alpha’s mate looks like. She must be lucky to have such a handsome man."
My chest tightened again.
"I won’t be going," I said. "I have to look after someone who’s sick."
Cora didn’t respond immediately. Her eyes softened like she was piecing something together.
"It’s okay if you don’t want to go," she said. "Honestly, I don’t want to go either. I was just hoping to find someone to vibe with."
I turned to her. "How did you know I didn’t want to go?"
She gave a tiny shrug. "It’s obvious."
My heart skipped. If Cora could see that… then Warren might have noticed too. Maybe he sensed something wrong earlier in the office.
My heartbeat sped up, but I forced myself to stay calm.
To distract myself, I asked, "What do you think about Jane?"
Cora rolled her eyes immediately. "Jane? She’s a measly Beta the boss took pity on."
"Really?" I asked, surprised. "She acts like she owns the place."
"Ignore her," Cora said with a smirk. "She’s jealous you might take her place someday."
My eyes widened. "Me? Why would she think that?"
"Because you’re new, you’re quiet, and the Alpha already trusts you with things she’s been begging to handle. It’s enough to drive her crazy."
A small laugh slipped from me before I could stop it. The tension I’d been carrying all day loosened just a bit.
Cora laughed too, shaking her head. "Trust me, Jane always gets dramatic. Don’t let her bother you."
Talking to Cora felt strangely calming. Her friendliness eased some of the weight I’d been carrying, the guilt from lying, the heaviness in my chest, the ache I pushed down every time anyone mentioned Warren's mate.
For a brief moment, I felt normal again. Not a lonely she-wolf with confusing emotions, not someone falling for a man she had no right to fall for.
Just a girl standing in a restroom, talking to someone who understood.
When we both laughed again, a soft relief washed through me.
Maybe today wouldn’t completely break me after all.