Kyra's POV
I got off the bed desperate to escape, but Nathan caught my wrist. His grip was firm—the strength of an Alpha, impossible to struggle. I immediately wiped the tears that rolled down my cheeks before he could see them.
I felt my heart breaking into pieces. I thought… I thought I could make him fall in love with me within those three years together. I thought his feelings would level up and would see me as a woman rather than just a best friend.
I failed. No matter how hard I tried as his chosen mate, his Luna, and yet… his heart belonged only to his first love and fated mate —Sophia.
“Kyra…”
I faked a smile, “I need to wash up before eating.”
He stared into my eyes as if trying to figure out what I was thinking. I know he knew me too well so I tried so hard to hide my pain and smiled at him.
He sighed and let go of my hand. “Okay. I’ll wait for you here. Let’s eat and go to work together.”
Together? How cruel could he be? He wanted us to stay the way we were right after he told me that his first love was back and he wanted to leave me?
If I used to be able to force myself to stay in the seat of his best friend wishing him happiness, I no longer had that courage after the three years we'd shared. There's no way I could endure that kind of torture again, especially when I'm carrying his pup.
The pup...I had thought it was good news for us but now...it would be more like a burden to him, I guess. A burden that would prevent him from getting his true love and freedom.
I knew how an unwanted pup to grow up. My parents were divorced even before my mother died and the new family of my father hated me and it hurts like hell. I don’t want my pup to experience the same thing I felt.
I faked a smile again. “We can’t. I need to visit the studio for the photoshoot of our new models…”
“I’ll go with you—”
“No.” I pushed his hand,“You have some documents to sign. Our schedules are already organized, remember?”
“But…”
“I’ll be fine to go alone.”
He sighed and slowly nodded. I entered the bathroom,immediately opened the shower and stood under the cold water. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I covered my mouth to suppress my sobs.
"Don't be sad, Kyra. I'll always stand behind you and the pup," Sylvia reassured.
I wiped my face and caressed my belly. I shouldn’t put my pup’s life on the line just because I got my heart broken. I need to be strong. I need to stay calm.
When I got out of the bathroom, I was shocked to see Nathan was still there. He was struggling to fix his tie. I also noticed my pair of heels and dress on the bed.
“Hey! I picked your dress for today.”
We kept our marriage private in the company to avoid any perception of workplace romance.Nathan said he would try to do little things for me as a mate. He did it well and I used to enjoy these sweet moments but now, it was going to kill me.
I put the white dress back and picked a red one. When I faced him, his forehead was creased.
I smiled. “I prefer red today. ”
He nodded and walked towards me,“I see. Help me fix this first.”
I could feel his eyes staring intently, I took a deep breath and chewed my bottom lip as I struggled to fix the tie. My vision is becoming blurry again. Damn!
“Kyra…”
I jumped in shock. “Hmm?”
“Are you okay?”
I looked at him and smiled, “Yeah.”
“I have another thing to say.”
I finished fixing his tie.I glanced at him before I walked past him and spoke… “Let’s just talk some other time. I'm going to be late.”
I heard him sigh as he followed me again,“Kyra, we’re on the same page, right?”
I stared at him. No, Nathan. We’re never on the same page. All of these are just my stupid fantasies. I thought you had feelings for me and I was so wrong.
“If it’s about the rejection, I understand everything, Nathan. I know what I have to do. Just give me some time because I’m really busy with the company.”
“Kyra, I’m not just doing this for myself. I’m also doing this for you. You’ve been caged with me ever since we got married. I know you’re not happy because deep inside, you also want to find the fated mate you deserve. Someone who will really love you. Not me. Not someone who’s half-hearted.”
“I understand what you’re trying to say, Nathan.”
He looked at me worriedly. “You are my best friend. I don’t wanna lose you, Kels. You’re one of my few people…”
“I know,” I said out of frustration. He looked shocked, so I calmed myself down. “I-I know. You don’t have to worry. I’m just stressed about work. It’s not about our rejection.”
His lips parted and he slowly nodded. He walked towards me and I froze when he gently kissed my forehead…
“Thank you, Kyra," he whispered. My heart clenched. It had been three years but I was still such a coward.
Sylvia howled in my mind ,"Why couldn't you just tell him that you love him, Kyra? He's your mate and you're carrying his pup! Tell him and he might change his mind!"
I swallowed hard and was about to tell him but his phone rang. I didn't miss the caller ID. Again, it was Sophia.
" I gotta go." He left our room in apology and I didn't miss the upturned corners of his mouth. "I called Luke and he’s waiting outside. Eat before you go, okay?”
Why would I think I could have a chance? He made his choice already the moment he asked for the rejection, didn't he?
***
I entered the studio wearing red heels and a red dress. Everyone was looking my way as I walked along the hallway. They’re all greeting me with a smile but my face remains stoic, not showing any emotions at all.
The conversation with Nathan this morning was still lingering in my head, but I couldn't let it affect my work.
I couldn't fail my work after I failed my marriage.
I took a deep breath to adjust my condition. However, when I entered the photoshoot room, I could notice everyone was in chaos.
“We can’t! She’s not answering her calls. What should we do? The Vice President is coming today. She’d get mad.”
“We can just tell her the truth. She’s nice.”
“Not in this situation, Lily! She’d scold us—”
“What’s happening here?” I asked as I graced the room.
The staff were now looking at me with worried expressions and I knew then that there was a problem.
“G-Good morning, Miss Monroe.”
Miss Monroe. Of course, the human employees didn’t know that Nathan and I were married except for werewolves of our pack.
I stared at her blankly, “What?”
“W-We have a problem, Miss Monroe. Miss Chen, our model has been refusing our calls. She said she heard that we’re changing our model so…she doesn’t want to come here. She’s even…threatening to file a case against us.”She bowed his head.
Miss Chen is a renowned model in human society whom I had already selected as the cover model for our Asian magazine edition.
I gritted my teeth and roamed my eyes around. “Where’s the marketing manager?”
“S-She’s still trying to convince Miss Chen, Miss Monroe.”
I massaged my forehead and squeezed my eyes closed. I grabbed my hair and screamed in so much anger. I felt everyone around me jump in shock. I groaned and sucked my breath before looking around.
“Miss Monroe…”
“What is this, Miss Hayley? You are the marketing manager, what is happening?”
“Miss Monroe, I don’t know how it happened but Miss Chen heard that you are changing our model. She’s about to file a case against us—”
Changing the model? How come I didn't know about this? Miss Chen had always been our trustful partner and if not necessary, changing models for a commercial shoot on short notice would only cause a lot of trouble for the company. I would never allow such a cheap mistake.
“I never asked for that. You must be mistaken." I cut her words to save time, " Fix this mess or I have to fire you!”
"Miss Monroe...It's Mr. President who asked us to change it." Hayley spoke hesitantly. "He ordered that as soon as he came back from his business trip yesterday, and he told me today there would be a new model to replace Miss Chen."
I was hit by the truth. Nathan's order? Why didn't he tell me? He used to discuss every major decision with me first.
"It shouldn't be..." I was confused. Nathan was not a clueless businessman. He kept a clear distinction between work and relationships, which was why he always succeeded. And that was also why he chose to keep our marriage a secret.
"Yes, Kyra. I gave the order." The voice pulled me back.
“M-Mr. President…” Hayley bowed with respect as she saw the man who suddenly appeared behind me.
Before I could even react, a familiar, sickly-sweet voice cut through the room.
"Hello, darling Kyra, it’s been so long."
It was Sophia.
I turned around and saw her standing there, her designer dress clinging to her curves, right beside Nathan.
Just like in high school, the two of them looked perfectly matched, dazzling together.The moment I saw her, my stomach churned.