No Longer the Alpha’s Guardian Chapter 04

No Longer the Alpha’s Guardian Chapter 04

“How important could it be? A contract or something? I don’t care if I lose a few hundred million—not when Kelly’s upset.”

His face was full of contempt. That’s when I understood. He never once valued what I did.

I had worked that deal for three months. Kelly couldn’t handle it after she became secretary, so I kept running it.

And now Elijah just tore it up.

Fine. I’m done.

“I’m not apologizing to Kelly. Get out.”

The last bit of warmth left his eyes.

He grabbed my wrist, hard. “I’ve been too easy on you. You will apologize.”

“Let go of me! I didn’t do anything wrong!”

He dragged me out of the office like a madman.

“Elijah, what are you doing?”

Kelly looked at him with tear-filled eyes. The whole office gathered around.

“Audrey. Last chance. Apologize to Kelly.”

His voice was ice. I held my ground. “No.”

“Fine. Don’t blame me.”

He shoved me. I hit the ground hard, pain shooting through my knee.

I tried to get up, but his hand pressed down on my shoulder. I couldn’t move.

“As your Alpha, I command you to kneel and apologize to Kelly.”

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. My eyes burned.

It felt like a silver blade through my heart.

The man who once held me like I was everything was forcing me to my knees in front of another woman.

People whispered.

“What did Luna Audrey even do wrong? Why is Alpha being so rough?”

“He used to never raise his voice at her. What happened?”

“They say once a man’s heart changes, he turns cold. Guess it’s true.”

“Elijah, stop. You can’t treat her like this.”

Kelly walked over, fake and sweet, and bent down like she wanted to help me up.

“Luna Audrey, I’m so sorry. I never meant for Elijah to treat you this way. It’s okay if you didn’t give me a gift. I should be grateful—Elijah already gives me so much.”

She turned to Elijah and pouted. “Let her go. Everyone’s watching. She must be so embarrassed.”

Elijah didn’t let go. He pressed harder.

“You see how kind she is? You gave everyone a gift except her. Did you think about how that would make her feel? Audrey, this is the difference between you. You’ve disappointed me.”

He shoved me again. My forehead cracked against the corner of a desk.

I clenched my jaw and looked up through the pain.

Elijah’s cold stare. Kelly’s smug smile.

I curled my hands into fists. “Elijah. Have you humiliated me enough? Do you still want me to apologize?”

He wiped his hands like I was dirty. “Forget it. You ruined my mood. Go home and think about yourself. If this happens again, you’re done as HR Director. This company doesn’t keep managers who bully new hires.”

He turned to Kelly. “I’ll make it up to you. Anything you want.”

They walked away. At the elevator, Kelly looked back at me and mouthed something.

“What do you have to fight me with?”

I saw it clearly.

After they left, people crowded around me, faces full of pity.

“Luna Audrey, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

I went back to my office and started packing up.

He doesn’t need me anymore. I don’t need to stay.

I looked at the shredded contract on the floor. Then I picked up my phone and called the wolf pack I’d been negotiating with.

“Alpha Julian. About that project we discussed—the Midnight Pack is withdrawing. Yes. If you’re interested, the Moon Shadow Pack would like to step in.”

“Moon Shadow? Even better. One of the top three trading packs wants to work with me? I’d be thrilled. But I heard their Alpha isn’t doing well…”

“That’s fine. Their princess will be taking over as Alpha soon. I’ll reach out again to schedule a meeting.”

I hung up.

My eyes landed on the framed photo on my desk. Elijah and me, the day we started the company. Someone took it outside the office building.

He got down on one knee that day. Asked me to marry him. Promised he would never hurt me.

Five years. That’s all his promises were worth.

I dropped the photo in the trash.

“Elijah,” I said, my face blank. “I hope you don’t regret this.”