Chapter 4

The next day, after getting ready, I headed to work. When I opened the door, I saw breakfast on the table in my office. It was easy to guess who had placed it there. I picked up the breakfast and went downstairs, throwing it into the trash can without hesitation as I passed by. When I looked up, Alpha Joseph appeared in front of me, his face gloomy. "You threw away the breakfast I bought for you," he said, his voice filled with displeasure and a hint of anger, his deep eyes staring straight at me. "I told you, I don't like what you say or what you give." I walked past him calmly, but he grabbed my arm. "Anita, are you still in the mood?" "Am I in a mood?" I looked at him steadily. "Didn't you use to treat me like this too? You just assumed I was being temperamental, right?" He has a serious stomach problem, and the doctor instructed him to have regular meals. To help, I even took a special course to learn how to make nutritious meals for him. But none of the meals I made ever reach his mouth. If I hadn't accidentally seen him giving the meals I made to Nelly, I would have been in the dark forever. Alpha Joseph was speechless for a while, then finally said, "She's physically weak and needs nutritious meals more than I do." "Really? One with a stomach problem and one physically weak—you two are quite a match." I didn't have time for further conversation and shook off his hand, walking away. As if she weren't a pack warrior. I focused all my attention on work, ignoring the messages he sent. Even the gifts and meals he sent were returned unopened. When my friends invited me to go shopping or see a movie, I no longer hesitated. I did whatever I wanted, feeling much freer. Without Alpha Joseph and Nelly, my troubles were reduced by more than half, leaving me with the joy of being alone. If Betaa Ethan hadn't suddenly called, I might have forgotten they existed. "Anita, when are you coming? We're all waiting here, just missing you." I was bewildered. "Waiting for me? Why?" "Isn't it you and Alpha Joseph treating us to dinner? Hurry up and come over, we're waiting for you," he said before ending the call. Beta Ethan sent me an address and a private room number. I hesitated for a moment, thinking it was time to make things clear and cut ties. I arrived at the address he sent and realized it was the restaurant I'd mentioned wanting to try before. I had told Alpha Joseph that I wanted to see if the food was as good as the reviews said, but he always claimed to be busy, so I never had the chance to come. I followed the waiter's guidance to the private room, but just before stepping inside, I overheard Beta Ethan's voice. "Anita sure has quite the temper, doesn't she? We had to call her again and again before she finally agreed to come. Alpha Joseph has humbled himself, yet she still won't give him the time of day. She's spoiled." Nelly chuckled and said teasingly, "Girls are like that. A bit of a temper is normal. Anita's just insecure, not fully trusting Jojo. She'll come around eventually." "In my opinion, you and Alpha Joseph are a better match. If it weren't for your focus on your studies back then, you'd be by his side now as his future Luna." Hearing this made something inside me snap. So, Alpha Joseph had feelings for Nelly all along? I wasn't wrong to suspect it. No wonder he was so unconditionally tolerant of her. It turned out she was the one he truly adored. "Go on in. Don't just stand there." Alpha Joseph's voice came from behind. I turned to face him, clutching my bag tightly. "What do you want me to go in for? To hear you announce your new romance?"