Chapter 3

Alexander stood up, pursing his lips with a complicated expression.

"I'm sorry. I can compensate you. You can still remain the Beta of the pack. I'll give you full authority over the guard units and the pack's funds."

"I only have one request. You're very important to Sophia. She doesn't want to lose you as a friend."

I looked up at him, as if I had just heard the biggest joke in the world.

Laughter bubbled up through my tears.

Three months ago, I was the one asking him to take care of my best friend.

Three months later, I was the one being asked to play nice.

My voice shook slightly.

"Alexander, do you two really not realize how disgusting you are?"

"What makes you think Emily Carter is just going to let you walk all over her? I will expose what you did to the entire Pack. If you're bold enough to do it, you should be bold enough to face the consequences."

Alexander stepped back, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Emily, don't throw a tantrum. You started as the daughter of an ordinary werewolf and worked your way up to where you are today. It wasn't easy. Don't ruin your life over a moment of impulse."

Hearing his warning tone, I couldn't help but shiver.

Alexander looked down at me, completely adopting the posture of a superior Alpha.

People always said Alexander was cold and ruthless.

I used to disagree.

But now, I finally realized the rumors were true.

He had only given his warmth to me in the past. Now, he was giving it to someone else.

"I'm going back. She won't sleep well if I'm not there."

"I'll move her out tomorrow. I'm sorry you have to stay here tonight."

The door clicked shut. I finally collapsed onto the pillows and sobbed.

Outside the window was the bustling city skyline.

I had rushed home after a long journey, only to be tossed into a cold hotel room.

A few hundred yards away, the two most important people in my life were sleeping together in my house, in my bed.

How pathetic.

The next day, I hid my swollen eyes behind sunglasses and parked my car outside a local bakery.

Sophia, wearing her uniform, looked up. Her eyes lit up for a second before she cast them down in shame.

She brought me a cup of coffee and sat down across from me.

With a strained smile, she spoke cautiously.

"Emily, I know you're mad at me. I'm so sorry. I know how good you've been to me. I owe you so much over the years..."

"Look, I have a job now. I will pay you back everything I owe you..."

I couldn't help but sneer, looking at her.

She was just a pastry chef, yet she was wearing designer jewelry worth tens of thousands of dollars.

"Pay me back? With this job?"

Sophia froze.

After graduation, she had married early and became a housewife.

Her ex-husband had treated her well and tolerated all her tantrums.

Combined with my unconditional indulgence, Sophia’s life had been smooth sailing.

Until six months ago, when her husband cheated on her with another Alpha’s daughter.

She was quickly rejected and thrown out of the house.

If I hadn't gotten there in time, she would have ended up on the streets.

She wanted to start a new life, but having spent years as a spoiled Luna, she had never handled a single pack affair. She was completely out of touch with society. She couldn't serve as a pack warrior, and she couldn't even handle a normal job.

Luckily, she liked baking, so she applied to be a pastry chef here.

I didn't say anything. I just waved my hand.

The store manager walked over respectfully and stood before me.

"Beta Carter, welcome."

Sophia’s face turned pale, her eyes widening.

I took off my sunglasses and said flatly,

"After your rejection, you had a breakdown until you said you wanted a job to start over."

"Sophia, you're not an idiot. Did you seriously never wonder why, after failing so many interviews, you suddenly landed a job at this exact bakery? Why would they hire a pastry chef with zero experience?"

"I gave you my whole heart, and this is how you repay me?"

Sophia’s eyelashes fluttered as tears began to stream down her face. Her voice shook violently.

"I didn't know... I didn't know..."

She suddenly grabbed my hand.

"But he is good to me. He loves me. Emily, you're so strong. You can survive without anyone, but I can't."

"You said it yourself—everything you have can be shared with me. I don't want anything else. I just want him. Please?"

I stared at her quietly. We had known each other since we were three. Twenty-five years of friendship, completely distorted in an instant.

"Since we were kids, I would give you whatever you asked for."

"But Sophia, taking things without asking is called stealing."