Chapter 0301


    Shana blinks, clearly taken aback by my openness. She seems pleasantly surprised but doesn’t


    “Okay. I’ll keep that in mind.”


    As we continue our quiet walk through the garden, I can’t help but wonder if I’m finally letting go of the


    past, of the mistakes I made in my rtionship with Abby. It’s a small step, but it feels significant.


    I just wish that I was making things right with Abby instead.


    …


    The soft glow of the television screen fills the room as I sit in my office, watching Abby’s interview. She


    looks absolutely stunning, her confidence and grace shining through as she speaks.


    A smile tugs at my lips, and for a moment, I can’t help but feel a swell of pride and happiness for her.


    She’se a long way, and it’s evident in every word she utters. Her journey from the cook-off to this


    moment has been nothing short of remarkable, and I’m d to see her flourishing.


    But then the dreaded questiones. The interviewer wants to know about me, about the mystery


    sous chef named ‘Ken’.


    Abby pauses, and it’s then that I see it. A flicker of something in her eyes—something that looks like


    sadness. I feel my wolf tug at me as she responds, as poised as ever.


    “We were old friends,” she says. “He wanted to lend a helping hand when I needed it the most, and…


    And I’m incredibly grateful for his support, and I’ll never forget what he did for me.”


    As I watch her, my chest tightens, and a fleeting thought crosses my mind. I almost consider picking up


    the phone and calling her. I want to hear her voice, not on the television, but directed toward me.


    But I can’t. My hand, which was slowly inching toward the phone, drops back to my desk.


    She’s in the midst of preparing for the Alpha gathering, and I don’t want to disrupt her focus. Plus,


    there’s a nagging doubt in the back of my mind. What if she’s still upset with me? What if my call affects


    her ability to perform at the gathering?


    I let out a sigh, torn between the desire to reach out to her and the responsibility thates with being


    an Alpha. Duty wins this time, and I decide to postpone the call.


    Instead, I focus on the paperwork spread across my desk. There are meetings to schedule, decisions


    to make, and a myriad of tasks that are begging for my attention. The clock is ticking, and I can’t afford


    any distractions right now.


    As I delve into the work, time slips away, and the television bes nothing more than background


    noise. My mind is consumed by the responsibilities of my position, and before I know it, I’m losing track


    of the outside world.


    Just when I’m about to delve into a particrly important report, Marcus suddenly bursts into the room,


    his expression frantic.


    “Karl, you won’t believe this!” he exims.


    I look up, concern shing through my eyes. “What’s wrong?”


    I blink in shock, my heart pounding in my chest. Ethan, my older brother, who has been in aa for


    years… woke up? I knew that it was supposed to happen soon, but I didn’t expect it to be so sudden.


    Co?tent of Dr?м??ovеls.cоm


    “Are you serious?” I ask.