"Leave the pack? What do you mean, leave the pack?"
The voice didn't come from the phone.
I turned.
Ryker was standing in the doorway.
The call ended abruptly.
I locked my phone without a word.
Before I could think of what to say, his phone buzzed. Liana again. She sent a pouting selfie, complaining about how noisy the pups in the training yard were.
"So cute," Ryker replied in a voice message, his tone filled with a tenderness I hadn't heard in ages.
She immediately shot back: "Are the pups cute, or am I cute?"
Another selfie followed, this one a close-up of her ample chest nearly bursting from her tight training uniform.
Ryker laughed. "The pups are cute, but you're cuter."
Then, as if suddenly remembering I was there, his face hardened. He turned to me, his expression frigid.
"Didn't I tell you to get some rest? Why are you still up?"
The shift in his tone was jarring. Nothing like the softness he'd used with her.
And he'd already forgotten my words about leaving the pack.
I smiled faintly. "Just wrapping up a few things."
His brow furrowed. "This late? What's left to do? Oliva, you need to manage your time better. You're always leaving pack business until the last minute."
I didn't bother mentioning it was Liana's fault for piling on last-minute tasks. No argument. No excuses. I just remained silent.
He didn't press the issue and walked into the bedroom.
A minute later, I heard him laugh. A genuine, deep laugh.
I hadn't heard him laugh like that in ages. He only ever sounded so free when he was with Liana.
I ignored it and sat down at my desk, pulling out a few genetics research journals I hadn't finished.
The field of werewolf genetics had evolved in the past five years. Even with Professor Finch's support, I'd have to prove my skills hadn't rusted.
Luckily, my foundation was solid. I could catch up quickly.
"Are you reading research journals?"
I hadn't even heard him come back in.
He picked one up, flipped through a few pages, then tossed it back with a sneer. "What are you reading this for? Do you really think you can alter the genetics of a common wolf?"
I stacked the papers neatly. "Just browsing."
I asked, "Did you need something?"
Before, I would have been thrilled if Ryker had sought me out just to talk. Not this time. He froze, as if he hadn't expected such a direct question.
His expression soured, and a flash of awkwardness crossed his face. "Well, yes, actually. Liana just closed a huge project, so I'm thinking of officially making her my Chief Beta. It would be good for pack morale. What do you think?"
He stared straight at me.
He said he wanted my opinion, but we both knew that was a lie.
I just nodded. "I have no objections."
He added, "But to keep things balanced, and since you haven't completed any projects recently, I'm thinking of temporarily suspending your access to the pack's core archives."
"Once things settle down, I'll restore your privileges. Don't worry—this is for the future of the pack. You're my mate. You'll support me, right?"
I had to smother a laugh, but a small smile escaped.
He still had no idea.
He could read Liana like an open book, discerning her mood from a single glance, remembering every little preference. But his own mate could hand him a document to sever their bond, which he personally stamped with his seal, and he remained completely oblivious.
This was the price of being with someone who didn’t care, a truth spelled out in his every careless word.
Seeing my silence, Ryker assumed I was about to erupt into my usual rage. His face darkened. "Even if you disagree, it won't change anything. The appointment is already effective. Your lab is now Liana's."
