---- Chapter 7 Alan's heart had grown unbearably heavy lately. Though the pups' illness was finally behind him, I hadn't reached out in what seemed like an eternity. That day in the attic haunted him still-the image of my pale face, the trembling of my fingers, and the distant words I'd barely whispered. "Let's just dissolve our mate bond." After all this time, Alan assumed I had finally moved on. He pulled out his phone and dialed the number he knew by heart. "I'm sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable." The chilling, automated voice struck him like a harsh blow. On social media, my avatar had turned gray, and the message feed confirmed he'd been blocked. ---- "anna?" he whispered, his fingers trembling with disbelief. In all the years we'd been mates, I'd never fully shut him out like this-not even in my angriest moments. Alan pulled up to the pack's council hall and stormed inside. "Where's Luna Anna?" he demanded. The pack members looked at each other, visibly tense. "Luna Anna? She resigned a while ago..." Alan hurried up the steps, only to be stopped short by the sound of a furious voice echoing through the hall. "You're all useless!" a werewolf snapped at the crowd. "Alpha Alan has put me in charge. "You take your pay like clockwork, but none of you lift a finger. What's the point of even showing up?" Alan's stern voice cut through the room. "Who are ---- you?" The werewolf stepped forward with a flattering smile. "Alpha Alan, I'm Mitchell Hawke-Leah's cousin." The name triggered a memory-Leah had mentioned placing her cousin in a position here. Fueled by rage, Alan flipped the council table with a crash. "Get out!" he roared. Mitchell's face turned pale as he backed away, slipping out in disgrace. Back home, Leah sat quietly, gently brushing her long hair. Two maids moved back and forth across the room, each carrying a pup in their arms. "Leah, what's going on with your cousin Mitchell? " Alan asked, tugging at his tie in frustration. Tears welled up in Leah's eyes as she looked at him with a sorrowful expression. "I'm sorry, Alan. Mitchell demanded that I help him get a position.