Betrayed By Mate and Pup: She Chose His Nemesis

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

ANNALISA

Beta Marcus Whitmore's office was located on the executive floor, a spacious room, that had ceiling to floor windows and a view that would have made me jealous in my earlier years of working here. I had been in this room countless of times over the years, waiting for him to review and approve my contributions to this company.

Marcus looked up from his computer screen, eyebrows rising in surprise as he recognized the formal letterhead. At thirty-five, he was only three years older than Derek, but because of the responsibilities, looked a lot older than his actual age.

"Annalisa," he said carefully, opening the envelope, slowly as if if he did it, it would change the wordings.

"This is unexpected."

I remained standing, my hands clasped behind my back in a professional stance. Marcus was one of only three people in the building who knew my true identity as Derek's mate. To everyone else, I was simply Anna Thorne, a competent employee who'd worked her way up through dedication and skill.

He scanned the letter quickly, his expression growing more concerned with each line. "Two weeks' notice for a position you've held with distinction for six years? Anna, what's going on? If this is about compensation or advancement opportunities—"

"It's not about the job," I interrupted gently. "You've always been fair to me, Marcus. More than fair, considering you could have easily given me special treatment based on my... connections. You never did, and I've always respected you for that."

"Then what is this about?" He set the letter aside and leaned back in his leather chair, studying my face, as if that would give him a clue to why I was behaving erratically.

"Talk to me."

I'd rehearsed this conversation during the drive over, planning on the excuse that I would give him, but faced with Marcus genuine concern and worry, I found myself telling him the truth.

"I'm leaving the pack after my divorce is finalized. I won't be working here anymore."

The silence that followed was loud. Marcus had not just been someone who I worked under, but he had also been Derek's . friend. He'd attended our mating ceremony, had celebrated Chase's birth, had probably witnessed the gradual collaspe of my marriage as well.

"I see," he said finally, and I could hear the understanding in those two words. "Well. I can't say I'm surprised, given... recent developments."

Recent developments. Such a careful way to reference what Alice was doing, wrecking my life apart.

"I'll make sure the transition is smooth," I continued, ignoring his words as I added.

"My replacement should be able to handle the team without any disruption to operations."

"Anna." Marcus leaned forward, his voice dropping to the tone he reserved for sensitive pack business. "You don't have to do this. Whatever's happening between you and Derek, it doesn't have to affect your career here. You've built something significant in this company—respect, authority, a team that depends on your leadership. Don't let personal issues destroy professional achievements."

His kindness was unexpected but my mind was made up. Staying meant subjecting myself to their drama and I wasn't a masochist, all I wanted to do was forget these people ever existed in my life.

"Thank you," I said, meaning it. "But this is the right choice for everyone."

Marcus nodded slowly, accepting my decision as he did not push on this matter any longer.

"I'll process this today. And Anna? If you ever need a reference, or if you change your mind about leaving here, my door is always open."

The familiar bustle of the secretarial department felt surreal as I returned to my workstation. Five other women looked up as I passed, offering smiles to me.

"Anna, you look different today," observed Jennifer, a recent college graduate I'd been mentoring.

"Did you change your hair?"

"Something like that," I murmured, focusing on transferring personal files to a flash drive. I was rounding up loose ends, as I wanted to make sure that I left here without any regrets.

Lunchtime arrived as everyone started heading to the cafeteria to fill their starving stomachs and gossip about the newest drama happening in our department. Sarah was the one who lingered by my table still.

"Aren't you going to call Chase?" she asked, glancing at my silent phone, as I was still focused on what I was reading.

"It's past your usual time."

Sarah was the only person at work who knew about my son, though she assumed he belonged to some unnamed ex-boyfriend rather than our Alpha.

I looked at my phone's blank screen, noting the absence of missed calls or text messages. Twenty-four hours had passed since I'd broken my routine of nightly and lunch-time calls.

Neither Derek nor Chase had reached out to check on my silence, confirming what I'd already suspected: my daily presence in their lives had become so automatic they barely noticed it.

"Not today," I said, shaking my head as she nodded her head and left me alone

Later that evening, I sat cross legged on my apartment, surrounded by papers that I had gathered from the internet.

.

But now, staring at articles about TechNova's recent success, I wondered if enough time had passed for forgiveness. If James, co- founder of TechNova would want to even collaborate with me, I had no idea if he might be willing to let me back into the world I'd left behind.

My phone felt heavy in my hands as I scrolled through old contacts, finding his number buried down my list of people I never contacted again after choosing Derek and Chase over them.

The time difference meant it was late evening in Silicon Valley, but James had always been a night owl, preferring to code in the quiet hours after the world had gone to sleep.The phone rang twice before his familiar voice answered, cautious and professional.

"This is James."

"James, it's Anna. Annalisa Thorne." I paused, my heart hammering with anxiety and hope. I prayed that he wouldn't end the call at this point. Our last parting was hurtful to both of us back then, as I walked away when they needed me and refused to help, leaving them to float on their own.

"I know it's been a long time, but I was wondering if we could talk."The silence on the other end of the line stretched for what felt like an eternity. When James finally spoke, he sounded wary of what my purpose of this call was.

"Anna. Wow. I have to say, this is the last call I expected to get tonight."

"I know I don't have any right to reach out after all this time," I began, the apology I'd rehearsed spilling out in a rush. "I know I left you in an impossible situation, and I know TechNova missed opportunities because of my decision to walk away. But I'm hoping... I'm hoping we might be able to discuss the possibility of my return."

Another pause, shorter this time. "Return? Anna, what's changed? Last I heard through the academic grapevine, you were married to some Alpha up in the Pacific Northwest, completely out of the tech world."

"Things change," I said simply. "I'm getting divorced. I'm leaving the pack. And I want to come back to the career I should never have abandoned."

I could hear him moving, probably settling into his desk chair for a longer conversation.

"Well," James said, and I could hear the hint of a smile in his voice.

"I have to admit, I never stopped hoping you might say those words someday. When can you start?”