~Ella~

"Miss Ella, this is a gift from our Alpha to you."


At the dining table, Marcus respectfully handed me a document.

I opened it curiously, only to discover a property deed. I covered my mouth in shock. "This is a restaurant—wait... five million dollars!"

"Yes, Alpha bought you a restaurant. He said you can prepare dishes according to your preference," Marcus smiled. "He's worried you might get bored in the mansion. This way you can live freely."


My heart pounded. Is this what Caden meant by courting me?

"But this is too expensive. I can't—"


"Please accept it. Recently, Alpha has been worried about werewolves disappearing from the pack. If he knows you like it, he'll be happy."

Ten werewolves have vanished, and he's been overwhelmed dealing with the situation.

It's been three days since Alpha Caden lost control, and I haven't seen him since.

Marcus smiled mysteriously. "There's another surprise coming." Then he quickly left.

——

"Have you heard? At the next full moon, our Alpha will officially announce his successor."

"I heard he's going to propose to his human mate at the banquet!"

On my way to Sophia Hotel, I overheard two werewolf girls talking.

Proposal?

Could they mean me?

Hearing their conversation, I suddenly felt nervous.

This hotel belongs to the Warwick Group and employs several werewolves from the pack.

I know Caden worries I might get bored staying at the mansion.

Since I don't have much experience managing restaurants, I asked Marcus to find me a temporary position as head chef.

At the hotel entrance, just as I was about to enter, a sharp, caustic male voice called out.

"Ella? Well, it really is you."

It was Blake, a guy who'd pursued me in college. After all these years, he still dressed flashily.

Beside him, a woman with flaming red lipstick clutched his arm. "Darling, is this the brilliant pauper from college who rejected you?"

"Yes," Blake sneered. "Back then she looked down on rich guys like me. Now how can she afford a place like this? Found a richer sugar daddy?"

"Oh my, darling, if you're not rich, who is? This woman clearly doesn't know a good thing when she sees it."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "I'm not here as a customer. I'm the head chef."

The woman sneered. "Head chef? Do you know how hard it is to become head chef at this hotel? Someone like you—a pauper—can you even tell pork from beef?"

They were about to continue mocking me when the manager rushed out. "Chef Ella, you're finally here! Please come in quickly—we're about to open."

Blake and the woman gaped. "Wait, this shabby woman is actually your head chef?"

"Yes," the manager replied. "Do you have a problem with that?"

I followed the manager inside, not noticing the malicious smiles that appeared on Blake and his companion's faces.

Soon after, when I'd changed into my chef's uniform and was preparing ingredients, the manager rushed in, panic written across his face.

"We have a problem, Chef Ella. A customer claims they've gotten food poisoning from your cooking."

In the center of the luxurious restaurant, onlookers had gathered around Blake. He shouted at a server: "What the hell is this? You serve us this dog shit? Get your head chef out here now!"

I stepped forward with a cold snort. "Stop shouting. I'm here. I should have known it would be you."

Blake looked me up and down with an air of superiority. "Just because you're wearing a chef's uniform, you think you're actually a chef?"

"A little tramp like you, carrying poor people's bacteria—even your food must be poisonous!"

I folded my arms and watched their performance coldly. "All our dishes pass rigorous quality inspections. If you're really poisoned, you should be at a hospital, not causing a scene."

The woman beside Blake forced out a few tears. "Have you no conscience? My husband ate your food and got poisoned. Is this how a grand hotel handles matters?"

The manager wiped sweat from his brow. "Customers, why don't we discuss this privately, so as not to disturb other guests?"

Blake grew furious. "Discuss what? Do you know that I'm a friend of Caden Warwick?"

"If you piss me off, I'll have Caden shut down your restaurant!"