Alpha’s Mistaken Luna

010

I woke up very early the next day to drop Celeste off at the airport. We said our goodbyes before I had to head into work.

“I know you’re not going to mess up. I trust you,” Celeste whispered in my ear. She gave me a soft kiss on my cheek before heading inside.

I parked the car and took a deep breath. It had only been a day since the steamy kiss with Maximus. My face flushed at the thought of it, and my heart raced in my chest because I knew I had to face him. still thinking about it made my face heat up. My heart raced slightly in my chest, not from excitement alone, but because I knew I was going to have to face him again.

I got out and walked inside, heading for the lift since I was late. I am always late.

The lift opened and a tall, blonde woman joined me. She smiled at first, but her face quickly dropped as she turned toward me. It was a colleague.

“So, why have you been ignoring me? You don’t answer my calls or texts, even after I apologized to you for the hundredth time, Celeste,” she questioned.

My mouth formed an O. I had no idea what she was talking about.

“I… uh… I’ve just been a little busy. It’s not like I haven’t forgiven you,” I started, completely unsure of what to say.

“I promise you it won’t happen again. You know you’re the only friend I have here. I missed you so, so much,” she said, hugging me a little too tight.

“Missed you too,” I murmured.

The lift opened and we started walking in opposite directions, but she called out, “I’ve got some tea…Let’s hang out at lunch this afternoon!”

I replied and gave her a soft smile before walking toward my desk.

So Celeste has friends here that she never mentioned, aside from Greg.

I relaxed in my chair, wondering what to do if I got called into his office. How does he even feel about me now?

Do I have to go see him first before he calls me?

Sat at my desk, I knew I had to keep myself busy so I wouldn't think about it too much. My stomach tingled and my cheeks flushed every time the thought crossed my mind.

It didn’t take long for the intercom to buzz.

“Come here,” Maximus said over the line, hanging up right after.

My heart sank slightly as I made the sign of the cross, pulling myself out of my office.

I pushed the door open and walked slowly inside. His eyes were on me, his expression unreadable.

I stood in front of him, tense as his presence brought back flashes of that night. “You wanted to see me, sir,” I managed to say, my pulse racing.

He didn’t ask me to sit. His stare felt cold as he slid an envelope onto the desk.

"This is your severance," he said, his voice flat. "Consider your employment with MB MultiCorp terminated, effective immediately."

My heart sank and my breath hitched, shocked by his words.

“I… I don’t understand. Fired? For what?” I asked, my voice cracking.

“I don’t owe you an explanation, Miss Jenkins,” he snapped, clenching his jaw and locking eyes with me. They were ice.

I let out a frustrated laugh, holding the paper. “You don’t owe me an explanation, huh? That night on your desk didn’t mean anything to you?”

"Last night was a mistake. I was under a lot of stress with Greg’s... accident. I let my guard down, and you were there. It won't happen again because you won't be here," he spat coldly.

"You're firing me for a mistake you made?" The injustice of it burned.

"I'm firing you because you are a distraction," he snapped, his jaw tightening. "Pack your things. Greg will see you out."

His words pierced through me sharply. He didn’t spare me a glance as I stood there, my heart racing. What just happened? My blood boiled in anger as I crumpled the envelope, tossing it at him. His eyes widened in genuine shock.

“f**k you, Maximus. f**k you and your stupid wolf bullshit!” I raised my middle finger, gritting my teeth, and then walked out of the office before he could even react. I threw my things into a box, my hands shaking so hard I had to stop as sobs escaped my lips. I was truly hurt by his actions the way he had looked at me with such disgust.

I hit the box hard on the table in frustration as tears slipped down my face, completely out of my control. I quickly grabbed my bag, leaving the box behind as I stomped out of the office.

People gave me glances, and some even asked what was wrong, but I only forced a smile until I made it outside. I got into my car and finally let the tears fall.

I didn’t even know why I was crying so much when I knew we didn’t really have anything going on. It was the fact that he could never be mine when I was just trying to help my sister.

I heard a soft knock on the window and raised my head to see the blonde woman from the lift. She looked at me sadly. I wiped my face and rolled down the glass.

“I just heard what happened. I’m so sorry,” she said, reaching for my hand.

I nodded. “It’s fine. You don't need to feel sorry. I’m going to be okay,” I assured her, my voice barely above a whisper.

She gave me a soft smile. “I guess we can't have that lunch, but I will see you tonight. I hope that’s okay with you.”

I nodded, forcing a smile, and told her she should head back inside.

Back at home, I received a text from Celeste saying she had reached home safely. How was I going to break it to her that I f****d up? That I made her lose her job and her man.

I tossed myself onto the bed, completely drained. I let the tears soak into the pillow until sleep slowly took over.

I was out until my phone buzzed. The name Chloe appeared on the screen.

“Hey, it’s me. I’m at your front door,” she said. I got up from the bed immediately. She must be the woman from the office. I walked downstairs and opened the door to see her, and she instantly pulled me into a hug.

Surprisingly, she knows exactly where Celeste lives. Now I really want to know what made their relationship fall out in the first place.

I invited her in and gave her a bottle of water. She sat on the counter.

I found out she had been on a two-week leave prior to their falling out, which is why I hadn't seen her at the office.

“Uh… you told me this morning you had something to tell me?” I asked curiously, leaning against the counter.

She hesitated a bit. “Well, I did have something to say… and it was more about you. Your relationship with our boss. But I don’t think you want to go into it anymore, considering he just fired you.”

I insisted, and she finally caved. She told me about the rumors spreading through the office how people were whispering that Maximus and I were seeing each other, along with a bunch of other made-up stories. I realized then how sweet she actually was. I felt a desperate need to open up to someone, so when she asked if the rumors were true, I admitted they were. I told her just enough.

"I really thought we had something going on, but then he does this. Can you believe he told me I was nothing but a distraction?" I asked her. She gasped in shock, and I just nodded.

"Men suck," I muttered.

"Yeah, f**k men," she agreed, and we both burst out laughing. I really needed that.

I made us something to eat and we spent the time catching up. I was honestly impressed that she couldn't tell I wasn't Celeste. She was so easy to talk to. After we finished eating, she suggested that we go out and have some fun to help me forget about Maximus.

"I know this place, a club actually. I think we should go there Friday night. It'll be perfect to help you get your mind off him," she said excitedly. I raised a brow, feeling unsure, but she kept nudging me until I finally gave in.

"Alright, fine. I'll go, but just for that one night. My heart just got shattered and I am definitely not looking for another man," I told her. She pulled me into a hug.

I seriously needed this. I needed a distraction to buy myself some time before I had to figure out what to tell Celeste. But mostly, I just needed to stop thinking about Maximus how his kiss, his touch, and his scent were still so fresh in my mind.