Ashley’s POV
I bolted out of the meeting room, my heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor as I chased after Debby.
“Debby, wait! Please!” I called, desperate to stop her.
She spun around abruptly, her face flushed with anger, her usual calm demeanor replaced with raw frustration. “Stop, Ashley!” she snapped. “I’ve worked here for years. Years! Do you know how hard I’ve worked to get where I am? And now, because of you, I’m suspended. Do you even realize what you’ve done?”
“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m so sorry, Debby.”
Her sharp laugh cut through my apology like a blade. “Sorry? Do you think sorry fixes this? I’ve never had a single issue with Mr. Jayden until you came along. Whatever game you two are playing, keep me out of it! I don’t care why you’re married or why you’re constantly at each other’s throats. All I know is, when I return in a month, this better be sorted. Either you two fix your ridiculous mess or go your separate ways, but don’t you dare make me the scapegoat again.”
She stormed off, leaving me standing there, her words like daggers in my chest.
I took a shaky breath, trying to steady myself, and made my way back to the meeting room. The tension in the air was palpable as I stepped inside. Steven stood at the head of the table, his commanding presence demanding attention.
“It is decided then,” Steven said, his deep voice echoing through the room. “The fashion department will design a new line of women’s clothing for our client. It must be unique-something that’s never been seen before. This project is critical, and I expect nothing less than perfection. We’re done here.”
He gathered his papers and strode past me without a glance.
“Steven,” I called out, following him down the corridor to his office.
He didn’t stop. “Is there a problem, Ashley?” he asked, his tone indifferent as he settled behind his massive desk.
“Is there a problem?” I repeated, incredulous. “You just suspended your secretary because of me, and you’re asking if there’s a problem?”
“If that’s all you wanted to say, you may leave,” he replied coldly, his attention already fixed on the files in front of him.
I felt a surge of anger rise in my chest. “You know what? I quit. I’m done being your personal assistant. I’m done with all of this!”
He finally looked up, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. “You can’t quit. You have no right to quit.”
I laughed bitterly. “Watch me, Steven. I’ve only been your wife for a day, but I’ve already had enough of you. In fact, I’m done being your wife too. This-” I gestured between us, my voice trembling with rage-“this is torture. I won’t spend the rest of my life with a heartless, egotistical psychopath who thrives on making others suffer.”
I turned to leave but couldn’t resist adding, “Goodbye, Steven. I hope someday you feel the pain you so effortlessly inflict on others.”
Before I could take another step, he was in front of me, moving so fast it made my head spin.
“Nice speech,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “It might have actually moved me if it hadn’t come from a weak, feeble human whose life I can end in less than a second.”
“You won’t kill me,” I said, my voice shaking but defiant. “You can’t. We’re bonded, Steven. If I die, you’ll become weak. The all-powerful Alpha wouldn’t risk that, would he?”
His eyes widened for a fraction of a second, then narrowed. “And how do you know about the bond?”
“The twins told me,” I said, lifting my chin. “One of the perks of having werewolf sisters-in-law-they love to spill secrets.”
His expression darkened, and his grip on my arm tightened.
“Are you angry?” I asked, feigning innocence. “Good. That makes two of us.”
“What else did my sisters tell you?” he demanded, his voice barely controlled.
“Why? Afraid they told me something that might destroy the little control you have over me? Don’t worry, Steven. There’s nothing they could say that would make me hate you more than I already do.”
That was the final straw. He grabbed me by the throat and slammed me against the wall.
“You’ve been rambling on and on, and I’ve had enough,” he growled, his fangs elongating as his wolf threatened to take over.
“You won’t bite me,” I managed to choke out.
“Oh, I won’t kill you,” he said, his voice dripping with menace. “But I will bite you. I’ll turn you into one of us. Then, I’ll compel you to forget your human life and live by my side as my obedient mate.”
Panic surged through me. “No! Please, don’t. I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t make me into a monster like you.”
He hesitated, then retracted his fangs. “Fine,” he said, releasing me. “But don’t forget this moment, Ashley. Every breath you take from now on is because I allowed it. You live because I decided to be merciful today. Now, get out of my sight.”
I stumbled out of the office, my legs barely holding me up.
In the washroom, I stared at my reflection. My neck was red and bruised, a painful reminder of how close I’d come to losing everything.
Tears streamed down my face. “When did I become so pathetic?” I whispered to myself.
*****
Steven’s POV
Work was finally over. I got into the car with Ashley, and Liam drove us back home.
“How was work today, Luna?” Liam asked, glancing at Ashley through the rearview mirror.
She didn’t respond. She looked lost, staring out of the window as if the world outside could offer her an escape.
Was I too harsh? I shook the thought away. No, she needed to understand what she was dealing with. She needed to fear me. Fear was the only thing that would keep her safe.
As we approached the mansion, I noticed a crowd gathered near the woods.
“What’s going on?” I asked, stepping out of the car.
Roy rushed over. “Alpha, we found some bodies in the woods.”
I pushed through the crowd, my eyes narrowing at the sight before me. Three bodies lay on the ground, their throats slashed.
“Who could have done this?” Liam muttered, horrified.
I clenched my fists. “Maya. She’s starting her revenge early.”
Roy stepped forward, his face grim. “Unless Maya has become the Demon Wolf, I don’t think this was her doing.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked sharply. “The Demon Wolf is dead. I killed him when I destroyed the Moon Pack’s Alpha.”
Roy crouched beside the bodies, examining the wounds. “Look at the cuts on their necks. They were made with a sword-the same sword that was used on me. And smell this.” He sniffed the blood. “Wolfsbane.”
My blood ran cold. “That’s impossible. I killed the Demon Wolf.”
Roy met my gaze, his expression serious. “Then you killed the wrong person. The Demon Wolf is alive.”