Chapter 1

I was competing with Circe for a promotion to Senior Wolf Pup Trainer.

But when I learned that the judge for this promotion competition was my husband, Alpha Elias, I knew I would lose to Circe.

She was Elias's unforgettable first love.

When the assessment ended, Elias predictably gave the promotion to Circe.

Circe looked at me mockingly and said:

"Even though you're his wife, in his heart, I'll always come first."

"Everything you struggled so hard to get comes easily to me."

She and I had been rivals since our school days, because her mother was the mistress who stole my father.

And she could just as easily occupy Elias's heart.

I glanced wearily at Elias in the distance and suddenly didn't want to fight with Circe anymore.

This time, I was giving up on him.

Between Elias and my career, I chose my career.

The school was recently holding an assessment competition for promotion to Senior Trainer, and the new judge was so handsome that he caused many young colleagues to squeal with excitement.

The judge was Elias, my husband.

As soon as I learned this news, I knew I had already lost my competition with Circe.

There was only one promotion slot, and that slot would definitely go to Circe.

In the break room, colleagues were gossiping about the new judge.

"The judge this time is actually Alpha Elias from our Rimefang pack."

"I heard he's usually very busy and never participates in these activities, let alone judges trainer competitions. Wonder why he came this time."

"If anyone's training demonstration gets evaluated as excellent by him, they won't have to worry about promotions and raises in the future."

"I bet the promotion slot will probably go to Circe. I've heard that Alpha Elias's first love is Circe."

"Circe and Alpha Elias were high school classmates and each other's first love. Alpha Elias came to be a judge specifically for Circe."

"And I've never heard any reports about Alpha Elias's fated mate. Maybe his fated mate is Circe. Then these two would be a match blessed by the Moon Goddess. How beautiful."

They didn't know that I was Elias's fated mate, and they didn't know that I was Elias's wife.

When we got married, Elias said he wanted to keep it secret, so even colleagues I'd worked with for years didn't know I was married, let alone that my husband was our pack's Alpha.

But Elias had never wanted to hide the details of his relationship with Circe.

My colleagues continued discussing Elias and Circe's romantic history. My heart tightened, and I returned to my office somewhat dazed.

The news that Elias was the judge had already spread.

The principal came to find Circe and me.

"Violet, Circe."

"The judge for our promotion assessment is Alpha Elias. You two will each lead a team to prepare training demonstrations. The official assessment will be in one month."

The principal looked at Circe with meaningful eyes, unable to hide his admiration.

He seemed to know about those rumors too, and understood why Elias had chosen our school.

Before I even left the office, I knew our team's training demonstration would be for nothing.

Competing with Circe, I would probably just be a supporting act.

Outside the office, Circe stopped walking.

We stood face to face.

I met her gaze, and she smiled slightly.

Her smile was proud and triumphant.

"Violet, may the best woman win."

Yet she acted completely confident of victory.

Because she knew very well that between her and me, Elias would definitely choose her.

Watching her strut away, I turned and left.

The school erupted in celebration.

If my team's training demonstration got rejected, I would spend the next period working under Circe, swallowing my pride and accepting all her guidance.

I didn't want to humble myself under her.

Before leaving work, everyone gathered around Circe.

Praising her endlessly.

"Circe, you're so amazing."

I made eye contact with Circe through the crowd.

She was surrounded, with lively chatter all around her.

Compared to her, my area seemed cold and deserted.

I stood in the corner, with no one beside me.

She smiled at me with pursed lips.

I looked away, put on my coat, and walked out.