Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

SEREN

I wake up to pitch darkness, a dull ache throbbing between my legs as I stretch to flip on the light switch. I suck in a harsh breath and try to sit up, but my legs feel like they’re made of lead. The French windows are shut tight, curtains drawn. Something inside me feels like it’s been shifted. Theron, of course, is nowhere to be seen.

With a frustrated sigh, I flop back down, face pressed into the mattress. Maybe I should go back to sleep.

Then I hear a light rap on the door. “Sweetheart, are you awake?” The voice jolts me upright, pushing the pain aside for a moment. I switch the lights back on and realize Theron left me naked and asleep behind an unlocked door. He didn’t even bother covering me with a sheet before leaving. Apparently even basic courtesy is too much to ask of him.

I scramble to the door, throwing on an old T-shirt before I open it. “Ella,” I breathe out, opening the door. “I’m so sorry about earlier. Theron and I were arguing over something stupid and... ”

Ella’s face softens with a knowing smile, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. “Sure,” she replies, picking up a tray from the trolley beside her. “You’ve already skipped breakfast and lunch. I can’t have you starving on top of everything else.”

My cheeks burn with embarrassment. “Thanks, Ella,” I say, taking the tray. “I really appreciate it.”

“Don’t mention it,” she says with a wink. “I thought I’d check on you since Theron left a few hours ago and hasn’t come back.”

I push myself to hold the smile on my face until she disappears from view.

Despite my disappointment, I take the tray to my picture window and attack the food with gusto. I’m starving.

Over forkfuls of spaghetti and spicy meatballs, I reflect on my last few days here at Blackwood. One thing that has always been part of a clear pattern is that Theron has never prioritized me. He’s always given me mixed signals: being nice when I’m angry, then ignoring me when I’m waiting for him.

Our first kiss happened because I saw some girl clinging to his arm at a restaurant in town. After that kiss and a long night of promises by the log, he spent the rest of the summer with any and every other girl around. When I stayed away for a month, he gifted me a family heirloom for my birthday.

Today he realized I overheard his cruel words, so he came over, screwed me, and now he’s disappeared. Just business as usual.

His actions have been about pacifying me, not even doing the bare minimum .

As I scrape out the last bit of marinara from the bowl, a small smile plays on my lips. An idea sparks in my head.

“Theron Blackwood,” I whisper to the universe, sending out a message. A hint of defiance replaces the earlier ache in my voice. “You have until Sunday night to reach out. And if you don’t, well, we’ll take it from there.”

I spend the rest of my Sunday clearing out everything from my room. I pack away the few essentials I would like to keep and box up the rest. Maybe Goodwill will want some of this.

Theron never appears, calls, or texts.

For the last time, I wait by the window. Nothing.

I must have used up all my tears yesterday, because I don’t shed a single one the entire time. I don’t lose my appetite either.

Monday morning, dressed in a pair of black pants and a formal white shirt, I walk into the sprawling entrance of Blackwood headquarters.

From the outside, it feels like I’m back in New York. Though it’s only five stories tall, the glass building would easily fit in the business district of the Big Apple. I walk in to find the interior is no less sleek and modern, just more opulent and tasteful. There’s also a sense of warmth around. Maybe it’s a small-town thing, but everyone walking by offers a smile or at least a nod. There’s even a delicate hint of lemongrass in the air.

I straighten my back, run my fingers over my hair to smooth any stray strands, and walk to the receptionist’s desk.

“Hi! My name is Seren Smith. Mr. Theron Blackwood invited me for an interview,” I say, offering a nervous smile as I adjust the strap of my bag .

She smiles right back, warmth oozing from her as she picks up her iPad from the counter. “Sure, give me a moment.”

I find my breathing getting a bit uneven while I wait. I’m not even sure if Theron actually set an appointment. His words have always been false; why would this be any different?

“Seren Smith?” She suddenly looks up from the screen, her eyebrows rising in recognition. “Oh yeah, it’s for the Office Manager position.” She turns to the screen again, frowning as she scrolls. “It says you’ve already been hired. I have you penciled in for your first meeting with Mr. Blackwood Jr. at nine.”

I feel a nervous flutter in my stomach. So he did set it up. But Office Manager? I smile sadly. He doesn’t even know what my degree is in.

“He’s not in yet. Would you mind waiting by his office?” She points down the hall. “It’s the glass door at the far right corner on the fifth floor. The elevator is down the hall.”

For the next hour and a half, from my designated spot outside his office, I people-watch. Everyone but me is moving with a sense of purpose.

It’s taken me weeks, but I realize coming back to Mammoth was a massive mistake. I have a degree in Corporate Law from one of the top colleges in Boston. At Mammoth, my opportunities start and end with Blackwood.

The sharp click of stilettos on the hardwood floor makes me look up, and my heart drops.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Vanessa says, her tone light but her eyes scrutinizing. “Are you dropping something off?” To an outsider, Vanessa’s casual familiarity would make it seem like we were friends, but I know what she’s implying. To her, I’m part of the Blackwood staff, only good for doing deliveries for my bosses. Maybe the Blackwood prince left an important file and I’ve come rushing to drop it off.

“Yes, I have a meeting with Theron. It’s for a position here,” I reply, standing a little straighter.

Vanessa raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eyes as she looks me over from head to toe, her nose scrunching post-assessment. I’m sure I look quite plain in front of her perfectly tailored flowy silk dress. Her jewelry sure doesn’t look costume.

“You know what? I have a friend looking for virtual assistants. You can work from home,” Vanessa says, her smile tight. “I’ll put in a good word for you. I know you manage the schedules of the hired help at the estate.”

Ignoring the sting of her words, I smile. “Thanks, but I think I’ll try my luck here.”

She looks at me with a raised eyebrow before leaning in to whisper, “Sweetie, you won’t like it here. I know about your little crush, but Theron and I are having our mating ceremony in two weeks. I don’t want any scenes here.”

Mating ceremony?

For a moment everything goes dark.

My insides hollow out like I’ve been punched, even though I should be used to Theron’s betrayals by now. But this…this is irreversible.

My eyes well up. I don’t even bother trying to hide it from her. I don’t think I can.

I look at Vanessa. She’s a wolf, just like Theron. How is she okay mating with someone else’s fated mate ?

She narrows her eyes at me. A look of surprise crosses her face.

“He didn’t tell you?” she asks with barely contained fury. Shaking her head, she walks away. I realize how big a fool I’ve been.

I slump onto the couch, just trying to get my bearings together.

“Yes, I’ll adjust the rest of the meetings for today, but are you sure about PlayTone? They flew in from LA.”

The receptionist is walking right alongside the last man I want to see, but I need to do this.

“Oh!” She halts in front of me. “Ms. Smith is here for the Office Manager position.”

Theron’s face is exhausted, but he shows no sign of remorse. “Oh yeah,” he mutters, as if he had forgotten me yet again. Maybe he had. “Let her come in. But no one else. I don’t have the energy today.”

Without a backward glance, he strides into his office and I follow.

While he flops into the chair behind the desk, I notice the floor-to-ceiling glass walls offering a view of the forest on one side and bookshelves on the other. The leather couch sits pretty in a corner. Bitterly, I wonder how many women have joined him on that couch. I’m sure he’s had plenty of occasions to use it. The only wooden wall in the room is dominated by a massive painting.

“Have a seat,” he says, while switching on his laptop.

I don’t. I exhale a deep breath, clench my fists, and tighten my shoulders, preparing to face him for the last time .

“Every time I think this will turn out differently, you go ahead and surprise me.”

I keep my voice low, but Theron’s gaze turns to me immediately. His forehead wrinkles as he frowns.

I smile. “It’s taken me ten years to finally understand where I stand in your life.”

His eyes narrow. “What happened, Seren-hen? Did someone say something to you?”

I shake my head. “When were you going to tell me about your mating ceremony? Before or after it happened?” His eyes widen, but I continue. “I’m guessing never, since you didn’t even bother to tell me we were mates.”

Theron jumps out of his chair and walks over to me. “I swear, it isn’t like that.”

Witnessing the guilt flash in his eyes only fuels my anger. “Spare me the act. I’m not buying it anymore.”

I turn around and walk over to the door, taking another deep breath as I touch the handle.

His chest is heaving and his eyes are wide, as if he can sense what’s going on in my head.

“For all the favors the Blackwoods have done for me, consider this your payback. After all these years, you can finally be free of me.” I hold his gaze and keep my voice firm. “I, Seren Smith, reject you, Theron Blackwood, as my fated mate.”

He reacts as if I’ve shot him. He drops to his knees with a shocked expression, clutching his heart in pain, his breathing labored. Raising his hand, he tries to reach out for me, but isn’t able to move .

“I…don’t…”

His voice sounds pained, but I can’t fall for this again. I shut the door behind me and walk away.