Chapter 50 SAGE


    everybody


    else.


    I wasn''t expecting that I''d be adapting well to this new life. ra and I flew all the way to New York to start a new life. Werewolves tend to stay away from the city. It''s easier for them to keep the secret about our kind if we keep away from ces where humans lived. Since I already lost my inner wolf and ra was nothing but a mere mortal serving our kind, we didn''t have a hard time blending in ith the help of a few of ra''s friends, we manage to get out of the Lycan king''s territory. We were basically living here as humans, just like We''ve been peacefully leaving the city for about two years now. I haven''t heard anything from the pack, and it seems like we all moved on with our lives. I''ve got a job as an assistant in a small publishingpany. The royal family to which Titus belongs was involved in import and export. That''s why I stayed away from any business that might be connected to them.


    ra got a job as a waitress in a small bar a few blocks away from our apartment. We''ve been managing to live our lives here. Somehow, we ended up enjoying this simple lifepared to what we had before.


    "My


    "ra, didn''t I tell you to stop calling me that? I''m no longer ady nor a king''s wife. Here, we have the same status."


    "I''m sorry, Sage. Despite what happened back then, I still believe that you have the right to reim your ce. Especially right after you told me what happened, we practically owe our lives to you."


    "We''re way past that now, ra. We''re mere mortals now, living a normal life," I insisted.


    She blew a loud sigh, "I still don''t understand how the hell your sister managed to be His Majesty''s mate.


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    ra''s words lingered in the air, their weight pressing on my chest. I forced a smile, trying to keep the past at bay. "We may never understand how Annika managed it, but it doesn''t matter now. What''s important is that we''re safe and free from all of that. ra looked at me, her eyes filled with concern. "But are we truly free, Sage? Can you honestly say you''ve let go of everything? Of him?"


    I paused, struggling to keep up the calm front I was trying to now. The truth was. Titus still lingered in my mind, especially when the city quieted down and I was left alone with my thoughts. I had tried to push the feelings away, to convince myself that I had moved on, but the bond I once had with him. wasn''t something I could easily forget.


    "I don''t know, raa admitted softly. "But I''m really hoping that I did." I forced a smile on my face. "Besides, there''s no point in dwelling about. He''s mad at me and wanted me to suffer, and he got what he wanted."


    She reached out and took my hand, her grip warm andforting. "You deserve happiness, Sage. You deserve to find peace. Maybe it''s time to truly let go of the past."


    Her words were kind, but the thought ofpletely letting go felt like another betrayal. Not just to Titus, but to the person I had once been. Yet, deep down, I knew ra was right. Holding onto the past, onto the pain, was only hurting me. And perhaps it was time to finally allow myself to heal.


    I squeezed her hand in return, a small gesture of gratitude. "I''ll try, ra. I really will."


    She nodded, her smile reassuring.


    We sat quietly for a while, the weight of our conversation hanging in the air. Outside, the city buzzed with life-the hum of traffic and distant chatter a constant reminder of the world we now called home. It was so different from the life we once knew, but it was ours now, and we had learned to make peace with it.


    With


    "Take care, Sage. I''ll be covering a shift at the restaurant, so I might be home.te," ra replied.


    "Alright, see youter then," I said with a small smile before grabbing my things and heading out.


    I took the bus to the office; everything seemed normal like any other day. But as soon as I stepped into the building, I could feel a buzz of excitement in the air. Whispers circted through the office, making me curious. "What''s going on?" I asked Janice, one of my coworkers, as I dropped my bag onto my desk.


    "Girl, haven''t you heard the news?" Janice leaned in with a grin. "We''ve got a new CEOing in today. And the word is he''s super hot and gorgeous." Janice''s excitement was contagious, but I couldn''t help the flutter of unease in my stomach. A new CEO? It was unexpected, and changes at work always made me nervous. I tried to brush off the feeling, reminding myself that it was just another day. Still, the buzz in the office was hard to ignore. Really? She raised an eyebrow. "Interesting? That''s all you''ve got? Come on, Sage, this is big news! I heard he''s from one of those powerful business families-like seriously loaded. And if the rumors are true, he''s not just another boring suit. He''s young and apparently a total heartthrob."


    That''s interesting," I said, trying to match Janice''s enthusiasm.


    I chuckled, shaking my head. "Well, I guess we''ll see soon enough."


    Janice nodded eagerly. "I heard he''s arriving any minute now. Everyone''s trying to get a glimpse of him. I''m jealous because you''ve got to work with him closely."


    "In that case, I should start working now. I probably have a lot of work to do for the turnover," I replied. There was something about the energy in the office today that felt different.


    As Janice bounced off to join the others, I settled at my desk, trying to focus


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    on my tasks. But my mind kept drifting back to what she said. There''s something about him that made me feel strange. I couldn''t quite ce it, but it felt like a small thread connecting my old life to this new one. "Sage, would you pleasee in her for a second?" he said.


    It hadn''t been long since I fired up myptop when Mr. Spencer, the owner of thepany, stepped out of his office.


    "Of course, Mr. Spencer, I responded before I quickly picked up a pen and paper from my desk and followed him inside his office. "Sit down," he said.


    "You''re making me nervous, Mr. Spencer. I let out a nervousugh. Since I started working here, Mr. Spencer has been nothing but good to me. He became the father ver had. He''s been sweet and caring, as has his wife. Susan.


    He chuckled, the sound warm and reassuring, yet there was a hint of something more in his eyes-something that told me this conversation was about to change the course of my life. "It''s not what you think," he began, his tone gentle but firm. "In fact, it''s quite the opposite. I''m here to ask for a favor. Sage. And more importantly, to convince you to stay, even though I won''t be around. I blink, trying to make sense of his words. "What? I don''t understand," I said, confusioncing my voice.


    Mr. Spencer leaned back in his chair, his expression softening. "You''ve probably heard the rumors by now-that I''m stepping down as the CEO of this publication."


    I nodded slowly, my heart sinking as the pieces began to fall into ce. "Yes, I''ve heard. But I didn''t realize it was true, I replied, my mind racing with questions.


    He gave a small, almost bittersweet smile. "It''s true. After years of running thispany, it''s time for me to move on. My sons, as you might also know, have


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    no interest in taking over the business. They have their own paths, their own passions. And with no one else to pass the torch to, I''m left with no other option but to sell thepany."


    The weight of his words settled over me like a heavy nket. I had known Mr. Spencer for years, admired his leadership, and respected the way he ran thepany with both heart and business acumen. The thought of him leaving and thepany falling into the hands of someone new was uns ling. "Ipletely understand, Mr. Spencer," I said softly, "but what confuses me is what this has to do with me?"


    He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made me sit up straighter. "Sage, you''re one of the most dedicated and talented employees we have. The new owner will need someone like you to help maintain the heart of thispany, to guide them through the the transition, and to ensure that the essence of what we''ve built here doesn''t get lost in the process." felt a lump 1 form in my throat, my mind spinning. "But... I''m just an assistant. How can I possibly make that kind of impact?"


    He smiled, a glint of pride in his eyes. "You''re much more than just an assistant, Sage. You''ve got potential-more than you realize. And that''s why I''m asking you to stay, to continue your work here, and to help lead thispany. I believe in you, and I know you can do it." His words filled me with a mix of emotions-fear, uncertainty, but also a spark of excitement. Could I really take on such a responsibility? Did I have it in me to step up and be more than what I''d always thought I was? As I sat there, processing everything he had said, I realized that this was more than just a favor. It was an opportunity-a chance to prove to myself that I was capable of so much more. And perhaps, in the process, Lcould also find a new sense of purpose in this life I had carved out for myself.


    "I don''t know what to say," I finally whispered, my voice trembling slightly.This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Just say you''ll think about it," Mr. Spencer said with a reassuring smile. “And


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    know that whatever you decide, I''m proud of you, Sage. You''ve been a vital part of thispany, and you have the potential to shape its future."


    I nodded, the weight of his words sinking in. "Thank you for your trust, Mr. Spencer. I''ll think about it," I promised, feeling a sense of resolve beginning to form within me.


    As I left his office, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. This wasn''t what I had expected when I walked into work today, but maybe, just maybe, it was exactly what eded. Minutes ticked by, and I found myself ncing at the door more often than I wanted to admit. Then, just as I was beginning to convince myself that it was all just office gossip, a ripple of movement passed through the room. Heads turned, voices hushed, and suddenly the air was thick expectation.


    with


    But what I didn''t expect was the sudden surge of electricity running through my veins. Everyone was too busy checking out the man who just walked into our office. But my attention wasn''t there. I was too focused on the familiar feeling engulfing every part of my being. It''s so familiar that it sends chills down my spine just by thinking about it. We meet again, kitten. I heard a familiar voice inside my head.


    "What did you just say?" I suddenly spoke.


    Janice looked confused from the other table. "What? I didn''t say anything," she replied.


    If it''s not here then...


    As if on cue, my eyes locked on the familiar pair of piercing blue eyes that I have been trying to forget these past few years.


    "It can''t be happening..." I murmured.


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