Chapter 9: The Symposium
Chapter 9: The Symposium
(Elena’s POV)
For a whole week, I didn’t see Marcus again, I wasn’t surprised when Director Henry Baker asked me to take Sophia to attend the Advanced Healing Arts Research Symposium, saying it was Marcus’s suggestion. I had known this was coming for a long time.
The pattern was always the same. Marcus would make decisions about Sophia’s career advancement, then
expect me to facilitate them without question.
I
On the day of the symposium, I sent a message to Sophia via my work phone, telling her to prepare. She replied with a simple “Okay.”
I exited the institute and waited for Sophia by my car. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of
autumn leaves
Soon, I received another message from Sophia: “Sorry, Elena, please go ahead first. Marcus will send me
later.
I glanced at the message, a cold smile appearing on my lips. Of course he would personally escort her to such an important event.
I replied with “Alright” and turned off my phone screen.
I drove to Shadowspire Tower alone, my hands gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. As I stepped out of my car, I happened to see Marcus’s sleek black vehicle arriving.
Sophia, dressed up and wearing delicate makeup, stepped out of the passenger seat. She looked radiant, her hair perfectly styled and her dress elegant.
Marcus followed. He was wearing a light–colored casual outfit, a departure from his usual somber
appearance.
I thought to myself that Alphas with their first love are indeed different. I wondered if he had been spending
the entire week with Sophia.
Suppressing the odd feeling in my heart, I averted my gaze and entered the building.
In the Grand Atrium, I encountered an acquaintance, Nathan Sterling. Nathan’s family was a close friend of
Professor Theodore Ashworth’s, and I had interacted with him before when I was with Professor Ashworth.
Nathan approached me with his usual carefree smile. “Elena! Are you also here for the symposium?”
I confirmed that I was. “Yes, representing the Northern Territory Central Healing Institute.”
Nathan inquired about my well–being. “How have you been? You look tired.”
“I’m doing well,” I replied, asking about Professor Ashworth in return. “How is the old professor?”
Nathan’s expression brightened. “Old Theodore misses you very much. He always asks about his star
student
At that moment, Sophia walked towards us, “Elena, why didn’t you wait for me?”
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Chapter 9 The Symposium.
I turned my head and saw Marcus behind Sophla. His golden eyes Immediately found mine across the
crowded atrium.
Before I could react, Sophia looked at Nathan and then at me, smiling with a blink. “Elena, is this your
boyfriend?”
Marcus glanced at me and then looked at Nathan, his golden eyes darkening slightly. “Young Master Sterling has a girlfriend?”
Nathan was taken aback, then responded carefully, ‘Alpha Marcus is joking. Healer Elena and I are just friends.”
Then, as if thinking of something, he smiled and added, “Of course, if Healer Elena needs a boyfriend, I would be happy to volunteer.”
Marcus’s golden eyes deepened imperceptibly. The temperature around us seemed to drop several degrees.
Sophia, oblivious to the undercurrent, chimed in. “Elena and Nathan look quite well–matched.”
Seeing Marcus’s lack of reaction, I slowly unclenched my fist and turned to Nathan. “Nathan, let’s go upstairs first. It’s best not to disturb the Alpha and his girlfriend.”
Upon hearing this, Sophia was filled with a mix of surprise and joy.
Nathan whisper to me. “I remember that photo…” He didn’t say anything more and entered the Steel Ascent
with me.
(Sophia’s POV)
I grabbed Marcus’s arm and said in a sweet voice, “Marcus, let’s go too-”
Marcus pulled his arm away and blocked the elevator door just as it was about to close. “Young Master Sterling, don’t mind us sharing the same elevator, right?”
Marcus’s voice was cold, but his face showed no emotion.
Nathan shrugged and replied, “Of course not.”
Elena stood beside Nathan, her head lowered and silent. After Marcus entered, he stood next to Elena, but
Elena moved closer to Nathan.
I entered, glanced at Marcus, and then at Elena, clenching my fist secretly. Marcus had shaken me off earlier,
without any explanation.
I wondered if it was because of Elena. I had asked someone to investigate Elena but found no connection.
between her and Marcus.
I was starting to suspect that Marcus was jealous.
(Elena’s POV)
The elevator ascended slowly, the silence inside feeling strange. Then, a group of people entered the elevator.
I tried to move closer to Nathan, to make room, but someone pulled me, causing me to stumble an
into the person next to me.
“Sorry…” I said subconsciously, realizing that the Alpha beside me was Marcus.
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I didn’t look up but simply created some distance between them, frowning slightly. I knew that Marcus was
Chapter 9 The Symposium
probably the one who had pulled me, but I didn’t understand why.
I decided that I didn’t want to know and didn’t want to entertain any unrealistic fantasies that he had feelings
for me.
Upon reaching the top floor, everyone exited the elevator. I didn’t even glance at the Alpha beside me and followed Nathan.
(Sophia’s POV)
In the large Crimson Moon Banquet Hall, all the seats were assigned, and Elena happened to be seated next to Nathan. My seat was next to Marcus.
As for why Marcus, not being in the medical field, was able to attend the symposium, it was due to his donations of medical equipment to the institute. If he wanted, he could get invitations from the big names in the werewolf medical academic circle.
I looked back at Elena’s seat and, seeing Elena and Nathan talking and laughing, a cold glint flashed in my
eyes.
“Marcus, don’t you think Elena and Nathan look well–matched? I asked, watching Marcus, probing him.
Marcus casually watched around, replying, “Elena is not good enough for him.”
Despite his words, I still felt uneasy.
(Elena’s POV)
Nathan and I chatted for a few moments before I suddenly heard a voice through our mate bond. I was stunned to hear the words from Marcus: “Fallen for Sterling? Want to sever our mate bond and become Mrs.
Sterling?”
I stared at the screen, biting my lip. Was he mocking me? Or was it…?
Marcus never messaged me for such trivial matters. Would Marcus care even if I fancied another Alpha? Yet, his words sounded like he was jealous. Was it possible? Would he be?
I raised my head and looked towards Marcus’s seat, only to see him tucking Sophia’s hair behind her ear. Sophia was smiling brightly, looking at him with ardent, intimate eyes,
Marcus didn’t avoid her. They looked like a couple deeply in love.
I stared at the scene, my heart aching, and I turned away.
(Sophia’s POV)
During the mid–session break, Elena went to the Moonstone Washroom. “Elena,” I said, walking to her side and taking out lipstick to touch up my makeup.
“I don’t know why, but I always feel like you and Marcus have a good relationship. Are you perhaps not telling me because you’re afraid I’ll worry?”
I tested her with a semi–joking tone.
Elena heard it and smiled expressionlessly, “Sophia is overthinking it. The Alpha is so sincere to you. Why would you doubt his sincerity?”
My expression stiffened, but I didn’t dare to show too much reaction. After all, Marcus seemed nice to me on
Chapter 9 The Symposium
the surface, but in reality, he always kept his distance.
I was afraid that one day his guilt towards me would fade away, and I would have no chance at all.
I feigned calmness, “How could I doubt Marcus? Marcus treats me well, even though I left him back then, he still can’t forget me. You wouldn’t believe how happy he’s been staying with me these days, speriding time with me and Oliver!”
“Oh, by the way, don’t be fooled by Marcus’s cold demeanor towards she wolves. Actually, his desires are really too strong. If he didn’t consider my feelings, I wouldn’t be able to handle it-”
As I said this, my voice seemed to weaken, revealing a seductive look as if I had just been thoroughly satisfied by my Alpha.
Elena froze in place, momentarily speechless. Her face, reflected in the mirror, was bloodless.
“Elena, are you alright?” I deliberately stepped forward to support her, slipping a bracelet into her bag at the
same time.
I had deliberately said those words to gauge her reaction, and now I was almost certain that Elena and Marcus really “had something going on.”
I would never allow any she–wolf other than myself to succeed.
Elena snapped out of her daze, brushed off my hand, and said calmly, “It’s nothing, I just remembered
something else.”
(Elena’s POV)
I turned and entered a stall, my mind a blank.
I once had a glimmer of hope that Marcus would not betray me before severance, since I hadn’t felt pain of betrayal through our mate bond.
However, as a skilled healer, I also knew there were many methods for Marcus to cheat me, like aconite.
Although I had suspected that they might sleep together, the reality was far more cruel than I had imagined.
In such matters, he had never considered my feelings. I had loved him before, so I complied with him.
Although the initial experiences were unpleasant, always painful, I always hypnotized myself that if he was willing to touch me, maybe he had some feelings for me.
But now, seeing the truth, I no longer thought so. An Alpha’s body and heart, mating and love, could be
separate.
In his golden eyes, I was less his Luna and more a tool for his pleasure.
I was so stupid…
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