Chapter 4

Sophia's POV

After a while, I cleaned my face and came back to continue my work. Mia was still talking to others about me. I felt my heart sink as Mia's words echoed in my ears.

The other employees started laughing and whispering among themselves. I tried my best to ignore them and focus on my work, but it was difficult with the constant chatter around me.

I couldn't understand why they were treating me this way. Was it just because I was a rejected mate? Did they really think that I deserved to be treated with such disrespect?

I took a deep breath and tried to shake off the negativity. I reminded myself that I was here to work and not to get caught up in office politics.

But things only got worse from there. Mia walked up to me and started mocking me, telling me how pathetic I was for being banished from my own pack. I felt a lump forming in my throat as her words cut deep.

Jessica, who is also an employee, joined in and started making jokes about me being a lone wolf with no pack. The other employees laughed along with her and Mia, and I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare.

I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed my bag and headed towards the door. As I was leaving, I heard Jessica yell out, "Don't come back!" His words stung like a slap in the face, and I ran out of the office in tears.

I couldn't believe how cruel people could be. I was just trying to make a living, and instead, I was being treated like a pariah. I knew I had to find a way to stand up for myself, but I didn't know how. For now, all I could do was cry and hope that tomorrow would be a better day.

I was reluctant to go to work the next day, but I still went. I met Derick at the entrance of the company. He stopped me and asked me why I came here today because he thought I wouldn't be coming back again.

"If you still want to continue working here, then I will demote you to the position of cleaner." 

I looked at Derick with shock and disbelief. Was he really serious about demoting me to a cleaner? I couldn't believe it. I had worked hard to get where I was and now he wanted to take it all away from me.

"Why are you doing this to me, Sir Derick?" I asked, my voice trembling with emotion.

Derick looked at me with a cold expression. "It's simple, Sophia. You are a rejected mate who has been banished from your pack. You have no status, no power, and no place in the werewolf community. I cannot have someone like you working in a position of authority in my company."

I felt a lump in my throat as I listened to his words. He was right, of course. As a rejected mate, I had no place in the werewolf community. But that didn't mean I deserved to be treated like this.

"I understand your point of view, Derick," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "But please don't do this to me. I need this job, and I've worked hard to earn my position here."

Derick shrugged. "I'm sorry, Sophia. But my decision is final. You can either accept the demotion or leave the company."

I stood there for a moment, feeling hopeless and defeated. I didn't want to leave the company, but I couldn't bear the thought of being demoted to cleaner. It was a huge step down from where I was.

Finally, I nodded my head. "I'll take the demotion," I said quietly.

Derick gave me a curt nod before turning and walking away. I watched him go, feeling a sense of emptiness inside. How did my life come to this? From being the daughter of an Alpha to a rejected mate who had been banished from her pack and demoted to a cleaner in a company.

I never wanted, or planned for this type of life. Everything seems miserable to me, because life is not treating me well. I just want to live like a normal werewolf with her mate by her side.

But I wasn't going to give up. I was determined to prove to Derick and everyone else that I was capable of more than just cleaning. I would work hard and climb my way back up to the top. It wouldn't be easy, but I was ready for the challenge.

I looked at my seat and saw that someone else was sitting there. The person smiled at me as a mockery. I shook my head and tried to find my way to where the company cleaners put their bags, and change into their uniform, before Mia intentionally spilled coffee on the floor.

And she asked me to come and clean it up instantly, since that is my job. Mia hissed and walked away. As I cleaned up the spilled coffee, I couldn't help but feel humiliated by Mia's actions. It seemed like she was intentionally trying to make my life miserable at work.

But despite all of that, I knew I had to keep going. I couldn't let her get to me. So I finished cleaning up the mess and continued with my work.

As the day went on, Mia continued to make snide remarks and give me extra work to do. It was exhausting, but I tried my best to stay focused and keep my head down.

Eventually, the workday came to an end and I was relieved to finally be able to leave. But as I was leaving, Mia stopped me and said, "Don't even think about quitting. You're lucky to even have this job, considering your situation."

I didn't know how to respond, so I just nodded and walked away. But her words lingered in my mind as I made my way home.