<b>Chapter </b><b>19 </b>


    :


    A


    <b>89 </b>


    I groaned, covering my <b>face </b>with a cushion. “It was a moment of anger. He used me of using him to climb some nonexistent socialdder.”


    Sofia’s expression turned serious<b>. </b>“You need to understand something about werewolf society, Ba. The Alpha’s word isw. In Silver Moon territory, disrespecting a member of the Alpha family can get you exiled… or worse.”


    I lowered the cushion, frowning. “Worse? What do you mean?<b>” </b>


    “In extreme cases, execution,” Sofia said quietly. “It’s rare nowadays, but it still happens. Especially for humans who know too much about werewolf society.”


    “That’s murder,” I whispered, horrified.


    “In humanw, yes. In werewolfw, it’s a justified execution.” Sofia leaned forward. “That’s why I want you to be careful. Sterling may be attracted to you, but he’s also bound by packws and traditions older than this country.”


    I stared into my tea, watching the steam rise inzy spirals. “As soon as I find a job, I’m leaving this city.<b>” </b>


    Sofia squeezed my hand. “I think that’s smart. At least until things cool down with William. And… whatever this is with Sterling.”


    “There’s nothing with Sterling,” I insisted. “One night of alcohol–fueled mistakes doesn’t constitute a rtionship.”


    Sofia gave me a skeptical look. “If you say so. But the way he looked at you in that clinic… that wasn’t nothing.”


    I changed the subject<b>, </b>unwilling to examine the flutter in my stomach at her words. “Tell me more about this Alpha tradition you mentioned. About finding mates.”


    Sofia settled back<b>, </b>tucking her feet under her. “An Alpha must mate with their true mate–their fated pair–if they find them. It’s considered sacred. But if they reach thirty without finding their true mate, they can choose a suitable partner instead.”


    “And Sterling? He’s what,te twenties?”


    7:55 Sat, Sep 20


    B


    <b>89 </b>


    “Twenty–nine,” Sofia confirmed. “Almost thirty. And still unattached, which has every eligible female wolf in the territory throwing themselves at him. His mother–the current Luna–has been parading potential mates in front of him for years.”


    I thought about his cold usation in the hotel room, his assumption that I wanted something from him. It made more sense now, considering what Sofia was telling me.


    “That exins his reaction when we first met,” I mused. “But it doesn’t excuse his behavior today.”


    Sofia shrugged. “Alphas aren’t used to being challenged, especially by humans. You probably shocked


    him.”


    “Good,” I said firmly. “He deserved it.”


    Just then, my phone buzzed with an email notification. I fished it out of my pocket, and nearly


    dropped my phone when I saw the sender and subject line.


    “Oh my God!” I gasped, scanning the email frantically.


    “What? What is it?” Sofia leaned over, trying to see my screen.


    “It’s Horizon Media Group from Pornd! They want to interview me tomorrow!” I could barely contain my excitement as I continued reading. “They say since I’m out of state, they’re happy to


    conduct the interview over video call!”


    Without warning, I jumped up from the couch, nearly spilling my tea in the process. I pulled Sofia up and hugged her tight, practically bouncing with excitement.


    “I have an online interview tomorrow!” I squealed. “Sofia, this is it–my first step to getting out of


    here!”


    She hugged me back,ughing at my enthusiasm. “That’s amazing, Ba!”


    I released her<b>, </b>my mind already racing with preparations. “If I get this job, I’m done with all of this- the werewolves, William, Sterling, all of it. I can start fresh where nobody knows me and where there are no supernatural politics to navigate.”


    “Let’s prepare you for that interview then,” Sofia said with a determined smile. “Operation Escape From Werewolf Drama begins now.”


    Mated by Contract to the Aipha