The Alpha's Stolen Mate And Her Hidden Destiny

Ellery POV:

When I entered the café, the bell above the door rang softly.

I immediately spotted Chloe Sullivan sitting in the center of the café. Her fiery red hair cascaded like flowing lava, representing her free-spirited and rebellious personality. The moment she saw me, a flash of joy appeared in her amber eyes, but it quickly turned into dissatisfaction and anger.

Chloe was a female wolf from an allied pack, and she was the only true friend I had in this world.

"This is for you." She pushed a cup of steaming hot cocoa into my hands. "You look terrible."

The messages we exchanged yesterday were only a small part of everything. I told her in detail what had happened last night all over again, including what happened at the restaurant just moments ago.

Chloe slammed her hand on the table in anger, causing the cup to jump slightly from the impact.

"That bastard! Who does he think he is to say those things about you? He must have lost his mind!" Chloe's anger made her suddenly stand up, leaning forward across the table.

"You are the one who saved Kaitlyn," she said, desperately trying to control her emotions and lower her voice. "The scar on your back was left because you took the Rogue attack for her. You're a woman, and you were left with a scar like that because of her. I..."

"Enough."

I looked at Chloe gently and motioned for her to sit down.

Only then did Chloe reluctantly pout and sit back down, but she still leaned forward, as if afraid I wouldn't hear her defending me. "That scar on Kaitlyn's wrist isn't even that serious. A scratch from a kitten would probably leave a deeper mark. So why does it become such a huge deal when it's her?"

Hearing the truth being spoken so plainly by my best friend eased the tightness in my chest. After a moment, I smiled faintly and said, "It has nothing to do with how serious the injury was. What matters is the person. He only believes everything she says."

"Are you really going to let him continue living in his stupidity like this?" Chloe grabbed my hand, her gaze firm. "I can't stand watching you just let this go."

Seeing the desire for revenge in Chloe's eyes, I immediately held her hand back and tried to calm her down. "No, it's not time for that yet. I want to return to the career that truly belongs to me."

I told her that my design contract with Stone Holdings was about to expire. I had no intention of renewing it.

"Under Stone Holdings, I am nothing more than 'Jagger's designer fiancée.' All my achievements are attributed to his reputation and his influence."

A hint of excitement flashed in Chloe's eyes. "Are you saying you want to work independently and open your own studio?"

I nodded. "Yes. I need a partner. Someone who understands this industry, someone I can completely trust." I looked directly at her.

Chloe stared at me for a few seconds before understanding what I was implying. She was also a talented designer, but she had always been held back by the expectations placed on her by her own pack.

"Oh my God, Ellery! You want to work with me?" Her voice trembled with excitement, and she stood up again.

"You're the best person for this, Chloe." I looked at her helplessly.

But neither of us let go of each other's tightly held hands.

We quickly immersed ourselves in our new plans.

Inside the café, our voices intertwined with excitement and passion. The brand name, design philosophy, target customers, every detail was discussed and refined by the two of us.

For the first time in these past two days, a genuine smile returned to my face, blooming for a future that I would create myself and that truly belonged to me.

Suddenly, Chloe paused as if she remembered something. "Oh, right. Look at this."

She took out her tablet and opened a social media application.

The screen showed Kaitlyn Preston's profile. Her latest post was a selfie.

In the photo, Kaitlyn was standing inside one of the offices at Stone Holdings that once belonged to me. On the design desk behind her were the unfinished sketches I had submitted last week.

Those were the designs I had spent countless nights revising and poured my heart into.

The caption read: "A new beginning. I am very grateful to Jagger for giving me this opportunity. I will work hard and learn everything I can."

Those simple words felt like a public declaration that she had already taken my place.

I stared at the photo. The warmth that had risen on my face because of my new future slowly faded away, eventually turning into a silent stillness.

"She has already started publicly taking your place," Chloe said in a low voice, her tone filled with anger.

I placed my hand over the tablet and pushed it back toward her. After a moment, a cold smile appeared on my lips.

"Good. I hope she truly has enough ability to handle everything she has gained."

I took out my phone and dialed the Human Resources Department of Stone Holdings. "Hello, this is Ellery Simon. I would like to schedule a meeting tomorrow morning to formally complete the procedures for not renewing my contract after it expires."

The person on the other end briefly confirmed my decision and informed me that the process would begin immediately.

The moment I hung up the phone, I finally felt that I had completely drawn a line between myself and my past life.

And I would never look back again.

I left the café and returned to the new apartment I had chosen to rent. I focused all my attention on the new future that was about to begin.