Chapter 8

Kyra's POV “What’s the problem?” I asked Hayley coolly as I reached the studio,the place where we shot cover of pictures and the Nightfall Pack managed private projects. Hayley is one of the Alpha wolves running the company, handling human-world marketing for our magazine. She’s now panicking, Her assistant called me saying there’s a problem involving Sophia, our new model and our professional make-up artist. "Luna Kyra, Miss Sophia refused the shoot," she whispered, casting a nervous glance toward the dressing area. "She had a fight with our makeup artist and demanded a replacement." "I know what happening now, but you'll still need to address me as Miss Monroe at the office."I reminded her. Hayley gave a firm nod. I exhaled sharply, my fingers pressing into my temples. Across the room, Sophia lounged on a chaise like some pampered queen, her lips curled in a smirk when our eyes met. Nathan and I might be dissolving our mate bond, but severing the bond between us wasn't as easy as it should have been, especially when we both valued the pack and the company. Still, working with Sophia was the last thing I wanted. I really wanted to tear the face of that evil witch, but the pack's business couldn't afford delays. Every employee here depended on us—humans who didn't know about our world, wolves who'd pledged loyalty. I strode toward Sophia, my heels clicking like a countdown. She lifted her face and looked at me with disgust. Her eyes were already judging me right after she saw me standing in front of her. "You don't get to throw tantrums here," I said coldly. She uncrossed her legs with deliberate slowness, dismissing her assistant with a flick of her wrist. "Oh? Is the rejected Luna still giving orders?" My nails bit into my palms. "Act like a professional, or we'll deduct breach penalties from your fee." “I am professional, Kyra. I just don’t like your stupid make-up artist.”Her laugh was all venom. "Nathan told me I could have whatever I wanted." Annoyed, I faced her again. “What did you say?” She faked a smile "Run to your Alpha and ask him then. Oh wait—" She turned her back. "He's not yours anymore, is he?" I gritted my teeth as she walked towards the dressing room. My blood was boiling in anger when I went back to the company. Nathan's office door rattled when I slammed it open. He didn't look up from his table, his fingers massaging his temples in slow circles.He took a deep breath and spoke. “What is it, Kyra?” He knew that I was the one who came? Nevermind! I’m not here for that anyway. "Sophia is acting like a bitch during the photoshoot, Nathan. She had an argument with our make-up artist and refused to give us a filing. Changing the model on the fly is enough of a hassle, and she's still making us more problems." I said, planting both hands on his mahogany table. "Your little pet is—" "Not now, Kels." His voice was gravel-rough. When he finally lifted his head, the shadows under his eyes startled me. We were close enough that his mint-and-whiskey scent wrapped around me, familiar and painful. I jerked back. "My head's pounding too, Nathan. Your bitch of fated mate is—" "Enough!" His roar made the windows tremble. "Just once, could you not call her names?" The words hit like a silver blade. Nathan never raised his voice at me—not in all our years as friends, not even during our happy days as mates. Now, after mere days with Sophia, that witch returned... I balled my fists as I felt tears form in my eyes. Nathan's expression immediately softened when he seemed to realize what he said. "I'm sorry," he muttered, reaching for me. "I’m sorry. I’m just…really stressed today. We just signed the mate bond dissolution papers and Dad’s already threatening. And Grandma. You know her. She won’t talk to me ever again once she learns that our divorce is already in process." I looked away and sucked my breath. He’s right, that’s a big problem. However, it couldn't cover the truth that his so-called first love is spreading darkness in the studio. I can’t believe he allowed this to happen. “I’ll talk to Sophia again. I agreed to work with her on her terms because you know, her popularity would be a great help to us. Don’t worry about her.” I turned my back and walked towards the door. Before I opened it, I spoke again… “I’m gonna get my things later. I'll move out today.” “Kels, don’t add more salt to the wound. I’m still trying to figure out how to tell my family. Don’t make a move that would push me to the cliff.” Annoyed, I faced him. “ The mate bond dissolution is in process, Nathan. Don’t you think it’s too shameless for me to stay in your house?” “Kels…” His eyes were hooded and he looked sick. The door creaked open before he could finish. Phoebe stood frozen in the doorway, her sixteen-year-old face crumbling. Y-You’re leaving my brother?" Tears streaked her cheeks. "But you promised!" My heart lurched. Phoebe had been my shadow since her first shift, trailing after me like an eager cub.She’s also like my younger sister and I treasure her too. Now her amber eyes held the same betrayal I'd once seen in the mirror. "Phoebe, wait—" She sobbed and turned her back. I was so shocked when she suddenly ran away. Nathan appeared behind me and looked at me with a worried face. “Why is she here? She should be at school,” Nathan asked. I shook my head. “I don’t know!” “Damn it!” He cursed and started running. I closed the door of his office and followed him. When I reached the entrance of the building, I talked to the guard and he immediately told me where Phoebe went. The guard pointed toward the busy street where Phoebe's hair flashed through the crowd.My eyes widened even more when I saw a car approaching Phoebe. "PHOEBE!" Nathan moved faster than humanly possible, yanking her back as a taxi skidded to a halt. The driver's curses faded beneath Phoebe's sobs. “Phoebe, why did you do that? That’s so dangerous.” She sobbed and shook her head. She pushed her brother who was trying to hold her in place. "You lied!" She shoved Nathan away. "You said mates stay together!You said you were in love!" I looked down and bit my bottom lip. I don’t know what to say. I can’t even look at Phoebe. The pack’s car arrived. Phoebe scrambled inside, still screaming about liars as it pulled away. “Kels…” He seemed to want to say something to me but my blood boiled in anger again when I heard that familiar annoying voice. "Nathan!" Sophia's voice sliced through the moment. She sauntered up, dangling a tie like a trophy. "You left this at my place last night." Her eyes flicked to me. "I thought I'd return it to you sooner so your good ex-Luna wouldn't get misunderstood" Tss! Was that witch hinting at me that Nathan was with her the whole last night? I turned my back and walked out without any interest in hearing what sweet moments they had shared. It's none of my business now. Damn, I won't stay in this hell long. I hope that bitch falls into a manhole soon.