Jealousy Alpha's Regret novel Chapter 20

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Marcus had arranged this internship for me. It was Sabastion’s company the inmy was lost on neexaping my hand working at this company bitesded this experience it wasted any hoge of sanding on my mind all this diririse

As sleep began to claim me, I found myself thinking about the projects I might be assigned. Whatever they were. Id pour everything into them Not for Sebastien, not for anyone else but for myself and the future I need to build

The alarm’s shrill beeping yanked me from a dreamless sleep, I Blinked at the calling, momentarily disuriented in this room that never quite

felt like mine.

After a quick shower, I stood before the closet, contemplating what to west The pragtatry hat areaty made my wolf senses more acute; certain fabrics that never bothered me before now felt like sandpaper agafer my skit.

I settled on a simple navy blue dress with a tailored Blazer–professional iránt trying too hard. Why anfection in the mirror looked composed and confident, hiding all traces of the emotional hurricane inside. Perfect

Iris, there you are!s

I was heading to my assigned desk when Beth, my group leader, waved me over to the conference sum. It had only been a few days since my initial tour of the design department, but I was still adjusting to the daily myths of the office. Her expression was friendly, but 1 caught the hint of something else in her scent–apprehension?

“Good morning,” I replied, following her through the glass doors.

Inside, five other designers sat around the table, all looking up as I entered. I felt the immediate shift in their scents–curiosity mixed with skepticism and, from a few, unmistakable resentment.

*Everyone, this is Iris Stone, Beth announced with a smile that seemed a bit too bright. “She’s still in her internship period, but Marcus specifically requested her for this project.”

I nodded politely, noting how a blonde woman in the corner narrowed her eyes slightly. A man with dark–rimmed glasses didn’t even attempt to

hide his scoff.

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Chapter 20

Please, take a seat, neth gestured to an empty chair. We were just discuing our new collaboration with Petaria studio.

My heart stuttered in my chest. Polaris Studio, I’d worked there before taller a different name, of course. It was where i’d created my reputation as Aurora” before walking away to fulfill family obligations.

This is a huge opportunity, Beth continued, excitement coloring her voice Polaris rarely collaborates with other design houses. They reviewed everyone’s portfolios and selected our team specifically,”

My mind drifted back to my time at Polaris–the creative freedom, the respect I’d earned through my work alone, not through family

connections or marriage. God, I missed that.

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A woman with short red hair–Lisa, according to her nameplate–leaned forward eagerly. “Is it true that Aurora left Polaris? I heard rumors, but nothing confirmed.”

The sound of my pseudonym spoken so casually sent a jolt through me. I kept my expression carefully neutral, though my wolf stirred uneasily

beneath my skin.

“Yes, unfortunately,” Beth sighed. “Aurora was their star designer. The ‘Moonlight Collection‘ was her creation–absolutely revolutionary work.”

Lisa turned to me with a friendly smile. “Aurora’s work is legendary in the industry. Her use of traditional wolf symbolism in contemporary settings changed how we approach pack jewelry design. You should study her collections if you’re serious about design.”

‘She just started here,” the man with glasses–Sam Norton, I now recognized–cut in from the corner, his voice dripping with disdain. “She’s not even a full employee yet. Why waste time telling her about Aurora?”

The hostility in his scent was unmistakable. The room fell silent, everyone’s attention shifting between Sam and me like spectators at a tennis match. I opened my mouth to respond, but Beth beat me to it.

“Iris is here on Marcus’s personal recommendation,” Beth said firmly, her eyes flashing with authority. “Talent doesn’t always correlate with seniority, Sam. If you have concerns about the team composition, you’re welcome to discuss them with Marcus directly.”

Sam’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing more. The others looked away, suddenly very interested in their notebooks or the conference room

ceiling.

Beth quickly redirected the conversation to the project details. We would be creating an “Eternal Marking” jewelry line–pieces designed specifically for wolf mates during the marking ceremony.

I almost laughed at the cruel irony. Here I was, tasked with designing jewelry for a ritual I would never experience with Sebastien. No permanent mark bound us together–just a temporary legal arrangement that was already dissolving.

Back at my desk, I stared at the blank sketch paper before me. “Eternal Marking–celebrating the one thing my marriage lacked. In less than a month, our farce of a union would be officially over. No eternity, no marking, no real bond.

I sensed Sam walking past, his gaze lingering on my empty paper. He made a small, dismissive sound before continuing on his way.

I didn’t bother turning to watch him go. His opinion meant nothing to me. None of these people knew I was Aurora. None of them needed to know. I wasn’t here to prove anything to them–I was building a foundation for my future, for my children’s future.

Once my internship ended, I’d be gone. From Crescent Design, from the Grey estate, from this complicated life I’d been forced into. These small workplace politics were just temporary inconveniences in the grand scheme of things.

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