Chapter 9

Ella's POV

I hesitated, torn between watching the video or not, but my curiosity was too strong to resist. My wolf stirred inside me, desperate to understand what was going on. With a deep sigh, I hit play.

The footage was grainy, but it was clear enough to make out the figures. The video, taken from the surveillance cameras in the Wayvere Company's conference room, showed three people: the head of HR, Alpha Carson sitting behind the desk, and Anna beside him, her eyes locked on his hand. There was no sound, but the document Alpha Carson was holding caught my attention. It was my resignation letter, the same one I'd handed in just three days ago.

The HR manager looked terrified, his face pale and his hands shaking as he tried to explain something to Alpha Carson. But Alpha Carson barely acknowledged him, his cold, calculating gaze focused entirely on my resignation letter. I noticed his grip tighten on the paper, and his jaw clenched in anger.

At exactly three minutes and forty seconds, Alpha Carson, who had been sitting motionless, flicked his wrist dismissively and waved at the HR manager. The manager, looking as though he'd been given a lifeline, practically fled the room, head down. Anna's face twisted, a mix of discomfort and forced sweetness, as she moved behind him. She reached out to place her hand on his shoulder, but as she did, he moved suddenly, knocking a cup of coffee off the table. It splashed everywhere, narrowly missing his secretary, who jumped back in shock. The coffee splattered across his suit and face, but he didn't even flinch. He stood up, almost unnaturally calm, a faint, unsettling smile creeping onto his lips as he began to pace around the room.

Then his phone buzzed, and whatever message he received seemed to make him freeze. His whole demeanor shifted in an instant, was it excitement or relief? I couldn't quite place it. He stood still for several long minutes, absorbed in the message.

When he finally lowered the phone, his expression was once again cold, and Anna moved in to embrace him from behind. But then he exploded in fury. Without warning, he threw his phone directly at the large screen in the meeting room. The phone hit the screen with a sickening thud, sending sparks flying as it shattered. Anna gasped, stumbling backward, twisting her ankle in her panic. She fell to the floor, her face drenched in tears, a mix of fear and confusion. But Alpha Carson didn't even spare her a glance. He turned and walked away, and just as he did, the video cut off.

I didn't need to see the rest to know what would happen. Of course, he'd rush to comfort her, apologizing and making up for his outburst with affection and guilt. I closed the video and sent a brief message to Ava, thanking her for keeping me updated. I wished her all the best, hoping she'd continue to climb the corporate ladder, even though I wouldn't be there anymore.

Looking around the familiar room, it hit me how much I needed to make up for, especially with my family and the pack.

Four days had passed, and my parents and brother had showered me with love, just like old times. The pack had even thrown me a surprise welcome-home celebration. My heart swelled with emotion, knowing how much they had missed me.

Asher had suggested I help manage the pack for a while before my new job started next month. It was only a thirty-minute drive from the pack, so it seemed like a good opportunity. I was eager to help and contribute, especially since I'd always dreamed of managing a pack and supporting my mate as a Luna. But with that dream slipping away, the bitterness in my chest was hard to ignore. I tried to push it aside, reminding myself not to dwell on my mistakes, or on him.

Asher had been patiently teaching me how to handle pack issues and resolve conflicts within our territory. I was so proud of how mature he was becoming, preparing himself for the day he'd take over as Alpha. I couldn't resist teasing him about finding his mate.

"It's not the right time, Princess," he said with a grin. "I don't need to rush things. I'll let fate guide us when the time's right."

His attention then shifted to something behind me, and I followed his gaze, suddenly feeling a little lighter.