---- Chapter 2 Leah stood off to the side, quietly sobbing. "Alan," she choked out, "I just wanted Anna to hold the pups... I never expected her to be so cruel. Alan's brows knitted together, his face darkening with anger. "Alan, please, just listen to me," I begged, my voice trembling with desperation. "Leah was the one who placed the pups in my arms and then pushed them away. She-" "Enough!" He cut me off sharply, the shock in his eyes hardening into a cold, unforgiving glare. "What kind of mother would hurt her own child? If you're going to lie, at least make it believable! 1 saw it with my own eyes. The pups slipped from your arms. You've hated Leah and the pups from. ---- the start, and now you've gone too far-" "That's not true! I swear, I didn't-" "Don't say another word, Anna. I was wrong to think you and Leah could ever get along." He refused to listen to anything I had left to say. "Leah will be discharged tomorrow. She'll stay in the main wing to recover. You should move into the attic for now. It's quiet there, and no one will disturb you. It's better for the pups too." I gazed at his cold profile, a sharp ache twisting in my chest. He refused to listen to me, choosing Leah's side without a second thought. I opened my mouth, but the words got caught in my throat. His decision was final, leaving no room for me to speak in my defense. ---- Ireturned home quietly. As I packed my things, I was struck by how few memories I had gathered over all these years. Moonlight filtered through the window, falling on a photo I'd accidentally packed away. It was a picture of Alan and me from the day we formed our mate bond. We looked so happy. Who could have imagined it would come to this? A flood of memories crashed over me. Alan and I had grown up side by side. For eight years since we bonded as mates, we were the pack's most admired couple. But everything changed the day he was drugged with an aphrodisiac and ended up sleeping with Leah. When he woke, he called me right away, his voice