Chapter 23 Don’t Get Too Close
“You have to tell me,” Cora continued pestering. “I’m not into science, but even I can see some chemistry between you two.”
I smiled as she leaned forward, resting her elbow on my desk. Cora’s love for gist was so amusing, you just had to laugh at every little thing she said.
I tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear and glanced toward Warren’s office. The same tight feeling from earlier returned to my chest, the same heat I felt when he stood there staring at me. “I don’t know,” I muttered. “Stop thinking something else. Don’t you have a Luna Ball to prepare for?”
The words tasted bitter the moment they left my mouth.
The Luna Ball.
The thought of Warren holding his mate’s waist while they danced to soft music made my stomach twist painfully. I could see the picture clearly in my mind, her in a beautiful gown, him pulling her close, his head bent toward her neck. I wondered what his mate looked like… and why the moon goddess would make me feel something for a man who already had someone chosen for him.
“Nah,” Cora said, waving her hand casually. “I’m not going to the Ball.”
My eyes widened. “Why not?”
“Remember I told you I was looking for a way not to attend?” she said, shrugging. “Rumor has it the lady is so mean she told an old woman in the pack to wash her legs. I don’t like her. I don’t think she deserves Warren or the Moonlight Pack. So I’m not going.”
I picked up my bag, trying to hide the shock on my face. If Cora’s rumor was true, then Warren’s mate wasn’t kind at all. I wondered what it was like for him to live with someone like that. I wondered if he loved.
“So…” Cora snapped her fingers in front of me. “I have a plan. Tomorrow after work, we’ll spend the night together. We can watch TV, my place or yours, and get high on alcohol and popcorn.”
I stared at her. Honestly, those three things could make anyone forget their problems. Except the alcohol part. Alcohol always made my skin crawl… but the rest sounded perfect.
“Are you in?” she asked with raised brows.
“Yes,” I replied softly.
Cora lifted her hand above her head like she just won a lottery. “Good! So, tomorrow night, your place or mine?”
I bit my lower lip. My apartment wasn’t in good condition at all. And Layla and I didn’t even have a TV.
“Your place,” I said finally.
“Perfect,” she said with a bright smile. “I can’t wait.”
I was about to add something else when I noticed Jane walking toward us. Her face was stiff, cold, and her eyes went directly to my hand, the exact spot where the bruise was.
She ignored me first and went straight to Cora, who hadn’t even noticed her.
“Cora,” Jane snapped, her voice sharp. “Return to your post. Now.”
Cora flinched. “I—I’m sorry. I just—”
“Do your job,” Jane cut in. “Stop running around gossiping.”
Cora apologized again and hurried off. I could see the irritation in her eyes as she walked away. The moment she was gone, Jane slowly turned back to me and moved closer.
Her gaze was cold. Sharp. Almost like she was scanning every inch of me.
“What kind of stunt are you pulling with the Alpha?” she whispered harshly.
My heart dropped instantly.
“I—I don’t know what you mean,” I stuttered.
Jane folded her arms across her chest. “Don’t forget you’re just a measly staff member in this company. Alpha Warren has a mate. He loves her very much. Don’t fool yourself into thinking a lone wolf like you would stand a chance.”
Her words cut into me like sharp claws.
She leaned closer, and her voice dropped lower. “If you don’t want to lose your job, focus on your work and stop acting like a prostitute whenever he looks at you.”
My body went stiff.
Heat rushed through me, anger, humiliation, confusion, but I forced myself to stay quiet. Warren trusted Jane. She was his Beta. She was close to him. And me… I needed this job. I needed money for rent.
So I held my breath, pressed my lips together tightly, and let the words sit heavy in my chest.
Jane smirked, satisfied with my silence, then walked away.
I stood there for a moment, swallowing the burn in my throat. Suddenly, every little thing Warren did felt too close, too dangerous. I felt stupid for even thinking he cared.
I picked up my phone with shaky fingers and called Mark.
“Please…” I whispered when he picked up. “Can you come pick me from work?”
“Already on my way,” he said softly. “With what happened yesterday I don't think it's a good idea to go home alone.”
I let out a shaky breath. “Thank you.”
Minutes passed. My heart kept racing. I tried focusing on the computer screen, but the letters refused to make sense.
The office door opened.
Warren stepped out with Jane beside him, walking in my direction. My chest tightened instantly. Jane had the same look she always had, proud, smug, confident that she’d won.
“Jane,” Warren said, stopping right in front of my desk. “I’ll drop Diana off at home. Go ahead. I’ll meet up with you.”
Before she could answer, I jumped in quickly.
“Alpha… you don’t need to worry about me.” My voice shook a bit, but I forced myself to continue. “Someone is coming to pick me.”
The silence that followed was heavy.
Warren turned his eyes toward me slowly. Something shifted in his expression. Not anger. Not surprise. But something deeper… something like disappointment.
He stared at me longer than he should have. My breath caught in my throat. His wolf flickered in his eyes for a second before he blinked it away.
He didn’t say a word, he just turned and walked off.
Jane followed behind him with the most victorious smile I had ever seen.
When they were finally gone, my heartbeat steadied just a little. I let my body sink into the chair, chest rising and falling too fast.
Why did Warren react that way? Why did it feel like I had rejected something I didn’t even understand?
Why did he look… hurt?
I covered my face with my hands, breathing deeply.
I shouldn’t get too close.
I shouldn’t feel this way.
I shouldn’t want something that didn’t belong to me.
Why does it feel like he’s getting closer… even when I’m trying to push him away?