Chapter 3
The next morning, Rachel headed to the magazine office.
She’d worked here for three years as a featured photographer, and over time, the place had become a second home. The people, her teammates–they were more than just
coworkers.
When Gwen, the editor–in–chief, received her resignation letter, she looked genuinely caught off guard. “Is this about your salary? Because if that’s the issue, just say the word–I’ll talk to the executive director myself.”
Rachel shook her head with a faint smile. “Thanks, Gwen. It’s not about the money.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’ve just… got other plans. A different direction I need to follow.”
Gwen paused, and then her lips curled into a knowing grin. “Ah. You’re finally marrying Aaron and stepping into your Luna era, huh? Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. That man’s been picking you up from work every day, rain or shine. You’ve always been the center of his world. If anyone deserves to be his Luna, it’s you. I won’t try to talk you out of it.”
Rachel froze for a moment.
She’d intended to clarify. Aaron was holding a mating ceremony soon–just not with
her.
But the moment Gwen finished talking, the urge to explain simply vanished.
What was the point?
There was no neat way to untangle the mess between her, Aaron, and Sierra. No quick summary that wouldn’t make her look foolish–or worse, pathetic.
Right now, she just wanted to tie up loose ends and disappear. Quietly. Cleanly. Two weeks, and she’d be gone.
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“Oh! One more thing,” Gwen added, cheerful as ever. “What date’s the ceremony? Make sure I get an invite–I want to raise a glass to my favorite couple!”
Rachel gave a polite, awkward smile and said nothing.
Luckily, at that moment, the front desk receptionist, Meg, poked her head through the door, beaming.
“Rachel! Your boyfriend’s here again–and he brought a surprise!”
Rachel stepped outside the office building and immediately spotted Aaron leaning against his black Cullinan, head tilted down like he was deep in thought.
She walked closer, and then she saw it.
The “surprise” Meg had mentioned.
The entire backseat and trunk of his SUV–every inch of it–was overflowing with roses.
Bright crimson. Dozens, maybe hundreds, so tightly packed that the scent practically
spilled into the street.
Only the passenger seat had been left empty.
Behind her, she heard whispers and stifled giggles. A few of her coworkers were pressed
up against the lobby windows, half–hiding behind the blinds as they peeked out at the
scene, nudging each other like giddy teenagers.
Aaron had done things like this before.
Sometimes he brought her cupcakes. Sometimes a favorite latte or random snacks she
liked. The little gestures had become routine over the years.
Her coworkers had come to expect it–and more than once, they’d tease her with mock
envy.
”
‘Rachel’s Alpha strikes again,” they’d whisper.
“It’s like Uber Eats, but free.”
Chapter 3
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Rachel had never denied it. She’d laugh along and share whatever he brought, letting
them believe what they wanted.
But today was different.
She could already imagine them waiting to split the flowers–fighting over who got to take home the prettiest bouquet.
She stepped forward. “Aaron.”
He looked up, but his face was unreadable–cold, even. His tone matched it.
“Don’t call me that anymore. Use ‘Alpha.“”
Rachel blinked, caught off guard. Then, after a pause, she nodded slowly. “Got it.
Alpha.”
Aaron’s expression softened just slightly. “About last night… I was too harsh. Don’t take it personally.”
“Sure,” she said.
Aaron pressed, “But seriously, Rachel–what were you thinking? Someone could’ve gotten really hurt.”
Rachel’s head snapped up, eyes widened with disbelief–then she let out a short, breathy laugh, one that held no humor at all.
“So this is why you came? To judge me?”
Aaron’s jaw tightened. “You still don’t think you were out of line?”
She stared at him. Disbelief turning into anger, sharp and sudden. “You’ve known me for over twenty years. And you really think I’d push her–in our own house–like I’m that stupid?”
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Chapter 3
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