Viviana's POV

"Oh, Viviana, this is wonderful! I thought you didn't like me. You know, some people think I'm too direct, that my words cut too close to the bone and hurt their fragile feelings."

Jane grabbed my hand all sweet and playful, her smile totally innocent. But honestly? It just got on my nerves.

At that moment, the helmet in my hand was taken away by Nolan, who hung both his own and mine on the handlebars.

Jane's attention flicked back to Nolan.

"My father can't stop singing your praises. He says you're incredibly capable, and he's thrilled to collaborate with you as the Alpha of Murdahl Pack."

She continued, her already dazzling smile brightening further, "You've been working so hard these past few days, so I made breakfast for you. If I'd known your sister would be here, I would've made an extra portion."

She pulled a sleek, transparent bag from behind her, holding a neatly arranged lunchbox. Through the clear plastic, I could see sandwiches stuffed with vibrant red steaks.

"I made this with my own hands, Lan. You have to finish it."

Her tone was demanding, but her voice was sickly sweet—obviously, she had a thing for Nolan.

I shot Nolan a silent look, practically screaming "Don't you dare take it." But after a two-second pause, he took it.

"Okay," he said simply.

The bustling crowd at the building's entrance signaled the start of another workday.

Jane, bound for a different department as Murdahl Pack's representative, had no choice but to part ways with us once we stepped inside the building.

Before leading me into the manager's office, Nolan suddenly asked, "You don't look well. Can you work today?"

"Be honest with me," he added, those piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, observing my expressions. "If you're not feeling up to it today, you don't have to jump straight into work. You can just follow me and get a feel for the place first."

I then realized that he was worried about me because of my mother's sharp, degrading words in the morning.

"All you need to do is obey John and sleep with him."

My mother's voice replayed in my mind.

I suddenly couldn't bring myself to look Nolan in the eye. Shame, humiliation—it all crashed down on me at once. He heard. He actually heard every word my mom said about me seducing John.

My face burned. I wanted to disappear. It was like my own mother had stripped me naked right in front of him, leaving nothing but my raw, ugly shame.

"Viviana, answer me."

His voice broke through the storm in my thoughts, calmer now but tinged with something gentler—something dangerously close to concern.

"I'm fine," I replied, using what remained of my composure to force my trembling lips into speech. "I can work. Normal work, I mean."

I nodded, the motion sharp and deliberate as though I could convince both of us by sheer will.

Without further question, Nolan stepped forward into the manager's office ahead of me. "Jason, this is my sister, Viviana," he introduced.

The department manager was a balding man whose dark circles suggested chronic sleeplessness. At the sight of Nolan, his face lit up with an uncharacteristic brightness.

"I know," Jason said quickly, his gaze darting briefly to me before returning to Nolan. "Viviana, right? I'll make sure everything is arranged for her."

"Take good care of her," Nolan said, lowering his voice. "She just came of age and doesn't have much experience outside the pack."

His words were meant to be discreet, but my ears, sensitive as ever, caught every syllable.

"Also, get a new dormitory ready."

I stared at Nolan's back, stunned. What was he saying? Was he leaving me?

My mind flashed to the packed luggage in his room. If he was really moving out...

No. Hell no. Not happening.

I couldn't see my own face, but I felt it—the way my fingers turned icy, the tremors racing through me, my heartbeat slamming so hard it echoed in my ears like a drum.

"Dormitory? For who? You?" Jason raised his voice, only to be silenced by a sharp glance from Nolan.

"Fine, fine!" Jason grumbled. "I'll get on it right away."

I had to keep my mouth shut in front of the department manager—no questions, no outbursts. But screw patience. I wasn't about to wait around for Nolan to gracefully explain why he'd bailed on our home.

The second we cleared the office, I yanked his sleeve.

My eyes were full of desperation for getting abandoned soon.

"Why are you leaving?" My voice quivered. "Nolan, do you hate me so much that you'd rather leave? Is it because I have no wolf? Do you think I'm a burden?"

The broad, solid line of Nolan's back remained motionless for what felt like an eternity, and with every heartbeat of silence, my spirit sank further into the icy depths of hopelessness.

"I never said I was leaving," he said at last. "And having no wolf isn't your fault."

I was on the verge of letting go, my anguish too overwhelming to contain, when unexpectedly, his warm hand enveloped mine.

The heat of his palm burned through the haze of pain clouding my thoughts.

Without another word, he led me through the hallway, his pace unwavering until we reached the seclusion of the stairwell. The empty, echoing space held none of the watching eyes or judgmental stares of the office.

"I'm not leaving. I don't know why you'd think that, but you need to have more faith in yourself. Your wolf will come, Viviana."

Nolan repeated it, firmer this time, his voice edged with something rough.

"What the hell is on your mind?" he murmured, his thumb brushing lightly against my tear-streaked cheek. Only then did I realize my face was wet, my pent-up emotions flowing silently in a torrent of tears.