Chapter 3
613words
I had helped him build this company from nothing.
I had a natural calming ability and a keen sense of smell. My talent allowed me to create scents that could soothe a wolf's restless spirit. My products were the lifeblood of this company and the foundation of Dylan’s power in the pack.
Now that I was leaving him, I had no intention of working for him.
As I walked in, I could hear my colleagues buzzing.
“Did you see the fireworks for the new Luna? I saw them from the suburbs! The whole sky was filled with silver moon patterns. So romantic!”
“I know! I watched the livestream. The fireworks spelled out ‘Lilith, my moon.’ The Alpha’s never done anything so public. This must be the real deal.”
I clenched my fists.
In six years, he’d never done anything so public for me.
“And did you see the new Luna’s Instagram? She posted a silhouette of the Alpha kissing her forehead: ‘In my darkest days, you are my light.’ I almost cried!”
“They’re perfect. The new Luna is descended from Black Forest royalty, so elegant. Not like some people—”
I felt a few unfriendly gazes land on me.
Dylan never made our relationship public, but my coworkers weren’t stupid.
I ignored the whispers, held my head high, and stepped into the elevator.
As soon as I entered my work area, I heard a commotion.
Dylan was standing at the entrance to my lab. Lilith was on his arm, beaming as she accepted congratulations.
“...Thank you all for the warm welcome,” Lilith’s voice was sickly sweet. “It’s an honor to join the team.”
“Lilith will be taking over the lab,” Dylan announced, his voice carrying an Alpha’s authority. “She was very interested in biotech back in her pack, and I’m confident she will bring new energy to the company.”
Take over? My lab?
“But… what about Director Sylvia?” someone asked quietly.
Lilith let go of Dylan’s arm and clicked across the lab in her high heels. Her fingers trailed over my workbench before she picked up a bottle of my latest calming fragrance.
“So this is the work of your famous Head Perfumer?” She opened the bottle, sniffed it, and wrinkled her nose. “Goddess, this smells like cheap perfume mixed with cleaning fluid.”
A few people snickered.
“Sylvia’s recent performance has been subpar,” Dylan added, backing her up. “She needs an adjustment.”
The new formula I’d pulled all-nighters to perfect had won an industry award last month, and he was calling my performance subpar?
Lilith smirked. “I could find an apprentice in the Black Forest who could do better. These formulas are trash.”
“Perhaps it is time for an update,” Dylan nodded, his eyes finally landing on me.
He saw me.
“Sylvia, you’re here,” he said, his tone strictly business. “Good. I have an announcement.”
“Given your recent performance, you are hereby demoted from Head Perfumer to assistant,” Dylan’s voice echoed in the open workspace. “Your salary will be cut by three levels, and your lab privileges are revoked. Any objections?”
Silence.
Then, whispers.
“About time…”
“She’s just a Beta. Probably slept her way to the top…”
“The Alpha really puts his Luna first…”
I stood in the middle of it all, feeling like a clown.
“What’s the matter?” Lilith sauntered over, looking down her nose at me. “Director Sylvia—oh, sorry, I mean Assistant Sylvia. Do you have a problem with this arrangement?”
“No problem,” I said, taking a deep breath to keep my composure.
It doesn’t matter, I told myself. I’m leaving anyway.
Lilith, looking triumphant, took Dylan’s arm and they swept away.
