Chapter 9 : The Symposium Chapter 9 : The Symposium ( Elena's POV ) For a whole week , I didn't see Marcus again , I wasn't surprised when Director Henry Baker asked me to take Sophia to attend the Advanced Healing Arts Research Symposium , saying it was Marcus's suggestion . I had known this was coming for a long time . The pattern was always the same . Marcus would make decisions about Sophia's career advancement , then expect me to facilitate them without question . I On the day of the symposium , I sent a message to Sophia via my work phone , telling her to prepare . She replied with a simple " Okay . " I exited the institute and waited for Sophia by my car . The morning air was crisp , carrying the scent of autumn leaves Soon , I received another message from Sophia : " Sorry , Elena , please go ahead first . Marcus will send me later . I glanced at the message , a cold smile appearing on my lips . Of course he would personally escort her to such an important event . I replied with " Alright " and turned off my phone screen . I drove to Shadowspire Tower alone , my hands gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary . As I stepped out of my car , I happened to see Marcus's sleek black vehicle arriving . Sophia , dressed up and wearing delicate makeup , stepped out of the passenger seat . She looked radiant , her hair perfectly styled and her dress elegant . Marcus followed . He was wearing a light - colored casual outfit , a departure from his usual somber appearance . I thought to myself that Alphas with their first love are indeed different . I wondered if he had been spending the entire week with Sophia . Suppressing the odd feeling in my heart , I averted my gaze and entered the building . In the Grand Atrium , I encountered an acquaintance , Nathan Sterling . Nathan's family was a close friend of Professor Theodore Ashworth's , and I had interacted with him before when I was with Professor Ashworth . Nathan approached me with his usual carefree smile . " Elena ! Are you also here for the symposium ? " I confirmed that I was . " Yes , representing the Northern Territory Central Healing Institute . " Nathan inquired about my well - being . " How have you been ? You look tired . " " I'm doing well , " I replied , asking about Professor Ashworth in return . " How is the old professor ? " Nathan's expression brightened . " Old Theodore misses you very much . He always asks about his star student At that moment , Sophia walked towards us , " Elena , why didn't you wait for me ? " 1/4 Chapter 9 The Symposium . I turned my head and saw Marcus behind Sophla . His golden eyes Immediately found mine across the crowded atrium . Before I could react , Sophia looked at Nathan and then at me , smiling with a blink . " Elena , is this your boyfriend ? " Marcus glanced at me and then looked at Nathan , his golden eyes darkening slightly . " Young Master Sterling has a girlfriend ? " Nathan was taken aback , then responded carefully , ' Alpha Marcus is joking . Healer Elena and I are just friends . " Then , as if thinking of something , he smiled and added , " Of course , if Healer Elena needs a boyfriend , I would be happy to volunteer . " Marcus's golden eyes deepened imperceptibly . The temperature around us seemed to drop several degrees . Sophia , oblivious to the undercurrent , chimed in . " Elena and Nathan look quite well - matched ." Seeing Marcus's lack of reaction , I slowly unclenched my fist and turned to Nathan . " Nathan , let's go upstairs first . It's best not to disturb the Alpha and his girlfriend . " Upon hearing this , Sophia was filled with a mix of surprise and joy . Nathan whisper to me . " I remember that photo ... " He didn't say anything more and entered the Steel Ascent with me . ( Sophia's POV ) I grabbed Marcus's arm and said in a sweet voice , " Marcus , let's go too- " Marcus pulled his arm away and blocked the elevator door just as it was about to close . " Young Master Sterling , don't mind us sharing the same elevator , right ? " Marcus's voice was cold , but his face showed no emotion . Nathan shrugged and replied , " Of course not . " Elena stood beside Nathan , her head lowered and silent . After Marcus entered , he stood next to Elena , but Elena moved closer to Nathan . I entered , glanced at Marcus , and then at Elena , clenching my fist secretly . Marcus had shaken me off earlier , without any explanation . I wondered if it was because of Elena . I had asked someone to investigate Elena but found no connection . between her and Marcus . I was starting to suspect that Marcus was jealous . ( Elena's POV ) The elevator ascended slowly , the silence inside feeling strange . Then , a group of people entered the elevator . I tried to move closer to Nathan , to make room , but someone pulled me , causing me to stumble an into the person next to me . " Sorry ..." I said subconsciously , realizing that the Alpha beside me was Marcus . קר I didn't look up but simply created some distance between them , frowning slightly . I knew that Marcus was Chapter 9 The Symposium probably the one who had pulled me , but I didn't understand why . I decided that I didn't want to know and didn't want to entertain any unrealistic fantasies that he had feelings for me . Upon reaching the top floor , everyone exited the elevator . I didn't even glance at the Alpha beside me and followed Nathan . ( Sophia's POV ) In the large Crimson Moon Banquet Hall , all the seats were assigned , and Elena happened to be seated next to Nathan . My seat was next to Marcus . As for why Marcus , not being in the medical field , was able to attend the symposium , it was due to his donations of medical equipment to the institute . If he wanted , he could get invitations from the big names in the werewolf medical academic circle . I looked back at Elena's seat and , seeing Elena and Nathan talking and laughing , a cold glint flashed in my eyes . " Marcus , don't you think Elena and Nathan look well - matched ? I asked , watching Marcus , probing him . Marcus casually watched around , replying , " Elena is not good enough for him . " Despite his words , I still felt uneasy . ( Elena's POV ) Nathan and I chatted for a few moments before I suddenly heard a voice through our mate bond . I was stunned to hear the words from Marcus : " Fallen for Sterling ? Want to sever our mate bond and become Mrs. Sterling ? " I stared at the screen , biting my lip . Was he mocking me ? Or was it ... ? Marcus never messaged me for such trivial matters . Would Marcus care even if I fancied another Alpha ? Yet , his words sounded like he was jealous . Was it possible ? Would he be ? I raised my head and looked towards Marcus's seat , only to see him tucking Sophia's hair behind her ear . Sophia was smiling brightly , looking at him with ardent , intimate eyes , Marcus didn't avoid her . They looked like a couple deeply in love . I stared at the scene , my heart aching , and I turned away . ( Sophia's POV ) During the mid - session break , Elena went to the Moonstone Washroom . " Elena ," I said , walking to her side and taking out lipstick to touch up my makeup . " I don't know why , but I always feel like you and Marcus have a good relationship . Are you perhaps not telling me because you're afraid I'll worry ? " I tested her with a semi - joking tone . Elena heard it and smiled expressionlessly , " Sophia is overthinking it . The Alpha is so sincere to you . Why would you doubt his sincerity ? " My expression stiffened , but I didn't dare to show too much reaction . After all , Marcus seemed nice to me on Chapter 9 The Symposium the surface , but in reality , he always kept his distance . I was afraid that one day his guilt towards me would fade away , and I would have no chance at all . I feigned calmness , " How could I doubt Marcus ? Marcus treats me well , even though I left him back then , he still can't forget me . You wouldn't believe how happy he's been staying with me these days , speriding time with me and Oliver ! " " Oh , by the way , don't be fooled by Marcus's cold demeanor towards she wolves . Actually , his desires are really too strong . If he didn't consider my feelings , I wouldn't be able to handle it- " As I said this , my voice seemed to weaken , revealing a seductive look as if I had just been thoroughly satisfied by my Alpha . Elena froze in place , momentarily speechless . Her face , reflected in the mirror , was bloodless . " Elena , are you alright ? " I deliberately stepped forward to support her , slipping a bracelet into her bag at the same time . I had deliberately said those words to gauge her reaction , and now I was almost certain that Elena and Marcus really " had something going on . " I would never allow any she - wolf other than myself to succeed . Elena snapped out of her daze , brushed off my hand , and said calmly , " It's nothing , I just remembered something else ." ( Elena's POV ) I turned and entered a stall , my mind a blank . I once had a glimmer of hope that Marcus would not betray me before severance , since I hadn't felt pain of betrayal through our mate bond . However , as a skilled healer , I also knew there were many methods for Marcus to cheat me , like aconite . Although I had suspected that they might sleep together , the reality was far more cruel than I had imagined . In such matters , he had never considered my feelings . I had loved him before , so I complied with him . Although the initial experiences were unpleasant , always painful , I always hypnotized myself that if he was willing to touch me , maybe he had some feelings for me . But now , seeing the truth , I no longer thought so . An Alpha's body and heart , mating and love , could be separate . In his golden eyes , I was less his Luna and more a tool for his pleasure . I was so stupid ... Comments Watch videos get points ( 0/10 ) > H Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!