---- As the first light of dawn appeared in the east, I suddenly decided that I would ask him directly if he was going to break the mate bond with me. At the very least, I had to make sure this wouldn't affect Joy. After two sleepless nights, I forced myself to put on makeup and went to Ethan's company. The private elevator took me straight to the top floor. Ethan was in a meeting, so I waited in his office. That was when Sophia walked in. She politely brought in coffee, and when she bent forward, I caught the familiar scent of cologne. Just as Joy had described, it was Ethan's scent. "Don't you have anything to say to me?" I asked suddenly. Her hand trembled, spilling hot coffee on herself, leaving red marks instantly. She looked fragile and helpless as her eyes darted away. ---- Flustered, she crouched down to clean the mess and did not answer. I stared coldly at her bowed head. Suddenly, a large hand grabbed her wrist and helped her up. "Victoria, did you come all the way here just to bully my staff?" Ethan sounded angry. "She's my assistant, not your punching bag." "Alpha, Victoria didn't mean to..." I chuckled abruptly. Ethan must have forgotten that, before becoming his Luna, I was never the kind of 'woman anyone could trample on. "'Victoria?' I don't recall ever permitting you to call me by my name," I said coldly. "I... Iwas just trying to get closer to you." Sophia's eyes reddened. "You must not know this, but as an assistant, I need to tend to every little detail..." "And who are you to get closer to me? You even had the Alpha drive you home with his whole family. Is ---- that what you call attention to detail?" Sophia's face turned ghostly pale. Ethan shielded her behind him, his eyes cold enough to chill the air. "Apologize to Sophia," he commanded. The pack members stepping out of the meeting room fell silent. Even if a Luna made a mistake, disputes were always settled privately. Never had a Luna been humiliated so publicly. Never. With everyone watching, I tried to steady my breath. But my face still burned as if I had been slapped in front of the entire world. "Ethan, I don't believe I have any reason to apologize. " "Did you not understand me? Apologize. Don't make me say it a third time!" His voice sliced through the air, sharp and forceful. ---- Yes, that was Ethan's way-once he made a decision, nothing could change his mind. Just like when he decided to mark me. And now, when he decided to hurt me for his new assistant. I should have realized long ago that it was inevitable for me to leave Ethan. Ismiled then, with a strange calm that came before everything turned to ashes. "Ethan, let's break the mate bond," I said.