[Bonus chapter]A flawless photo

The agents were all in the department that morning. And every single one had a thought that kept him busy.

Lara didn't even feel awkward at walking past them because no one paid any attention to her.

Even Samantha was unhappy when she walked into the room.

«What is going on?» Lara inquired. Was the company going into bankruptcy?

What else could make every wolf in there whine at the same time? Were they as empathic as to feel the same emotions if one or a few of them had a problem?

«It's the Black Moon,» Samantha sighed. «We all become gloomy. It'll be over in a day or two.»

«But... wait... Isn't it tomorrow night?» Lara inquired.

Her pups would be very emotional during that time, as well as over-excited during the full moon.

«You know about that?» Samantha chuckled, regaining a little colour.

«Yes. I've noticed how my kids act these days, and I figured it had something to do with the moon.»

«Tomorrow is the day of the new moon: that's true. But we usually start feeling the effects a day in advance. It might be because we're all together in the same place... Solitary wolves are tougher in this sense.»

«I don't know if it's by chance or not, but I've also noticed my period aligns with the moon,» Lara said. «After giving birth to the kids, it was always early or late for a couple of years. It stabilised when they started turning, and now I'm emotional when they are.»

Her talk was vital as if her emotionality wasn't such a big issue.

«Oh, you're so strong,» Samantha sighed. «How can you have so much energy while on your period?»

«I can't let it stop me,» Lara chuckled. «I've had it even before giving birth to two pups...»

«That's fortunate, though.»

«Fortunate?»

«If your period is synchronised to the moon, then you'll find it easier to live with a pack of wolves.»

«We just work in the same place,» she pointed out.

«It's half of the day, though. I mean, you're working part-time for now, but they might ask you to stay longer in the future.»

Samantha closed her mouth before saying too much. She had no clue about what Nate told Lara about the pack, the company, and their link as mates.

She just knew two things: Lara was Nate's mate, and the pups were too cute to let them leave.

«Also, they will transfer you to another department,» Samantha said. «I don't know where yet.»

Her eyes betrayed a little tear, and Lara smiled. They didn't know each other for long, so there wasn't any attachment between the two women.

Yet, the way Samantha showed her grief reminded her of the cubs. She would have patted her head if they weren't of the same age.

«We will see each other in other places,» Lara commented. «After all, it's still the same building.»

«Yes,» Samantha sighed, greeting the chance to play with the blond pup again.

Was it worth asking Nate to keep the pups while he was away, dating Lara? She considered the thought and stored it somewhere in the back of her head.

It was worth it. She could do that! Also, there weren't many other wolves able to keep an Alpha's pups.

«Boss, you're in the newspaper,» someone said, throwing a magazine on the nearest desk.

At the word boss, Samantha was startled. It reminded her of someone she wished to forget.

She puffed, wondering if that dark man was having the same issues. She could stop thinking about him only by focusing on the pup.

She curled her lips and didn't even look at the magazine. She knew her pictures were flawless; there was no need to check.

Rather, the one curious was Lara.

Before Samantha could think twice about the consequences, she observed the other woman as she turned the pages. She found the one about the celebration of the Blue Moon Enterprises, and she observed the pictures with a straight face.

«What a beautiful dress,» she commented.

However, Lara's heart wasn't untouched. She saw, in the photo, Samantha holding Nate's arm.

They were standing next to another man with an expensive look, talking about something. Nate's face was straight and serious while Samantha was smiling.

They did look good together, Lara had to admit it.

Yet, her heart, her stomach, her legs... They all felt pain.

Lara knew she had no right to feel like that. There was nothing between her and Nate. They met just once, six years before, and their encounter produced two kids.

They weren't together in the first place. Just one night. There were no emotions keeping them together.

Lara bit her lips, trying to keep her expression neutral.

It was expectable that someone like Nate already had a woman next to him. And it was natural that someone like Samantha would attract his attention.

She was beautiful, competent at work. And a wolf.

«Was it fun?» Lara inquired. From the picture, Samantha did look amused.

«Most people were boring,» the other woman replied.

As Lara noticed her red face, she realised that things should have happened. Someone like Samantha wouldn't blush just at anything.

«Not everyone, though,» Lara said.

«No, not everyone...»

As Samantha lost focus once again, thinking about the man she assaulted that night, Lara's heart was pierced by a feeling that resembled jealousy. It dug a hole in her chest, reaching her stomach down to the guts.

She had no right to feel like that, but she couldn't help it. That pain helped her stay focused and not say anything weird.

In the end, she was working. Thinking about anything else would have been distracting.

She observed the papers in front of her, struggling to make a sense of the letters.

The whole department fell back into depression, each person in their own thoughts.

Both Samantha and Lara became silent, and the rest of the morning passed without further words.