Chapter 27 Something is Wrong
My eyes fluttered open as my head lifted slightly from the three-seater couch, and the dull ache sitting right behind my forehead reminded me of the night before. I pressed my palm to my temple, rubbing gently as if the movement could chase away the pounding in my skull.
The living room was quiet, too quiet, the air filled with the faint smell of popcorn and the sharp scent of whiskey that still lingered from the bottle lying half-empty on the table. Chips were scattered on the rug as if a small storm had blown through the room.
A tired groan escaped me when the truth settled in fully, I had taken alcohol. Not just a sip. Enough to make my head feel heavy, my thoughts foggy, and my throat dry.
“Shit,” I muttered under my breath while looking around for my phone, hoping I hadn’t said anything stupid the night before.
“Good morning, sleepy head,” Cora’s voice carried from the hallway as she walked into the living room, a white robe wrapped around her body, toothbrush still in her mouth. She looked more awake than anyone had the right to be at this hour. “Thank God you’re up. We’re almost late for work.”
I pushed a hand through my hair, embarrassed by how drained I felt. “Sorry for sleeping in the middle of the movie.”
Cora waved her free hand, dismissing the apology as if it meant nothing. “Nope, it’s no big deal. Besides, I got to know more about you.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks almost immediately, and I straightened up slowly, praying she didn’t notice the way embarrassment washed over me. “Wait… what exactly did I say?” My voice came out tight.
Cora took the toothbrush out of her mouth and gave me a sympathetic look, the kind that made my stomach twist. “Honey, I didn’t know you were carrying all that in your chest.”
Fragments of last night flickered through my mind, me leaning against the couch, laughing too loudly, my emotions spilling out without filter. My sister. My fear. Warren. The loneliness of being a lone wolf in a pack that wasn’t mine. The pieces came back in flashes, enough to make my face burn harder.
“Oh my God,” I whispered, covering my face with my hands. “I was high. I didn’t even mean all of that.”
Cora laughed softly, shaking her head as she went back to brushing her teeth. “Stop hiding. I’m good at keeping secrets, and trust me, I’ve heard worse. You didn’t scare me.”
Her easy tone made me breathe a little easier. I leaned back on the couch and exhaled slowly before checking the time. My eyes widened instantly. “I need to go home to dress for work.”
“You won’t make it,” Cora said immediately. “By the time you get home, shower, find an outfit, and rush back, Warren will chew you alive. Just dress here.” She gestured toward her room. “I’ve got clothes.”
I hesitated for a moment, but she was right. “Thank you… seriously.”
We moved quickly after that, choosing the closest thing to corporate dressing from Cora’s wardrobe. I slipped into a fitted blouse and dark trousers, and even though the clothes weren’t mine, they suited me well enough. I tied my hair into a ponytail, using the band I kept around my wrist, trying my best to hide the tired look in my eyes. Cora came out in a similar style, and after locking her door, we both hurried to catch a cab.
The office building was buzzing the moment we stepped in. I could already hear whispers floating through the hallway, soft, excited, curious voices blending with the usual morning chatter.
“The Luna Ball was everything…”
“Did you see when Alpha Warren went on his knees?”
“They looked so perfect together…”
“She’s lucky. The Moon Goddess really blessed her.”
Each sentence felt like another stone hitting my chest. With every mention of Warren and his mate, the dull ache in my head grew sharper. I tried to walk faster, forcing myself to ignore them, but the words clung to my mind like thorns.
When I reached Warren’s office, I took a steadying breath and lifted the cup of coffee I had bought for him. My fingers trembled slightly. I pushed the door open gently and glanced inside.
He was standing behind his desk, looking through some documents, but his aura felt different, colder, heavier, almost pushing me out the moment I stepped in. I swallowed and forced a small smile.
“Good morning, sir,” I said quietly, placing the coffee on his table.
“Morning, I won't be needing that today. Take it away,” he said without looking up. “I’m not in the mood.”
The sharpness in his voice cut through me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. I blinked, stunned, feeling the sting hit deeper than it should have. But I nodded, picking up the coffee again even though my hand suddenly felt too weak to hold it.
“Yes, sir.”
As I turned toward the door, my thoughts swirled wildly. What had I done? Why was he acting like this? He had been normal the day before. He had been, if not warm, at least present. Now he sounded like I was nothing more than an irritation in his path.
I returned after dropping the cup, hoping the sudden tension had been in my head, but when he walked out of his office toward me, his expression remained unreadable, his tone firm and distant.
“I need the documents of all the estate projects from the past five years,” Warren said, not meeting my eyes. “Review them and submit the total sales report.”
My eyes widened slightly. “Sir… that’s a lot of files. I won't be able to finish that today.”
“I don’t care,” he replied, his voice flat. “Do it. Even if it means staying overnight. I want it on my desk tomorrow morning.”
My heart sank. I opened my mouth, wanting to say something, to ask if everything was okay, but he cut me off before I could speak.
“Start immediately.”
I nodded slowly, feeling the lump rise in my throat as I stepped away from him. As I walked out of his office, the weight in my chest grew heavier with every step. Something was wrong, his sudden behaviour towards made me feel unsettled.