Chapter 15: Mourning of lost Pup

Alpha Andrew gradually awakened, with the gentle morning sunlight streaming through the curtains and creating a warm light in the room. He moved a little, sensing the well-known warmth next to him. Vivian, his Luna, rested beside him, her chest heaving gently with every breath, even as her face appeared weary and strained. Andrew had been awake for hours, his thoughts unsettled, yet he didn’t want to part from her side. For weeks, she had been mourning the loss of their unborn baby, her sadness ever-present in their home, and although he wished to console her, there was little he could do to alleviate her suffering. 

His heart throbbed at the sight of her, her lovely face still reflecting the sorrow that had overwhelmed her. He had never thought that existence could be this harsh. The idea of their child, the future they dreamed of creating together, all of it was now gone in the harsh clutch of destiny. Regardless of how hard Andrew attempted to concentrate on the duties associated with being Alpha and CEO of Blackwood Enterprises, his mind consistently drifted back to Vivian. 

He leaned in to softly sweep a strand of her hair away from her forehead, his fingers tender on her skin. She moved a bit but stayed asleep. He inclined closer, placing a gentle kiss on her temple before hesitantly withdrawing. 

The telephone rang, interrupting the peaceful moment. Andrew felt his heart race, the unexpected disturbance serving as a stark reminder of the reality beyond. He looked at the phone on the nightstand, noticing his secretary’s name lit up on the display. 

With a breath, he took the phone, responding to the call. "Andrew Blackwood," he uttered in a soft, gravelly tone. 

"Good morning, Mr. Blackwood. This is Norah, I wanted to let you know that the documents you need to examine are prepared in your office. They are expected to be signed and dispatched by today. I thought you would like to see them before they are processed." 

Andrew rubbed his eyes, attempting to dispel the sleepiness. "I'll be in the office shortly," he answered, his tone still burdened by the gravity of the situation. 

Once he ended the call, he looked at Vivian one final time, his heart burdened with the unspoken vow that he would come back as fast as possible. He quietly got out of bed and headed to his office. 

The company was waiting, and so was his mourning Luna. 

Upon arriving at his office, Andrew found that the cool, sterile atmosphere did little to alleviate the weight in his chest. The strong aroma of refined wood and luxury leather welcomed him upon entry. He couldn't tell if the chill of the room mirrored the frosty emptiness within him or if it simply acted as a cruel reminder of everything he was trying to hold together. 

He walked to his desk and observed the neatly arranged stack of papers, ready for him to address. He seated himself, sensing the burden of responsibility bearing down on him. A quick look at the clock reminded him that time was running out, and the affairs of Blackwood Enterprises couldn’t be delayed by his private struggles. 

Andrew signaled for his assistant, Norah, to fetch the documents for him. She rushed in, clutching a stack of papers in her hands. “Here they are, Mr. Blackwood,” she remarked, setting them down on the desk in front of him. 

"Thanks," Andrew murmured, his gaze already examining the first page. He scanned the documents, his keen eyes noticing the specifics as he quickly reviewed each page. Contracts needed signing, deals required approval, and decisions had to be made. It was up to him to manage Blackwood Enterprises, ensuring that operations remained seamless, despite the turmoil in his personal life. 

While he was sifting through the files, a sudden knock at the door broke his concentration. He glanced upwards, annoyed by the disruption but aware he had to confront it. "Come in," he summoned, his voice pointed. 

The door squeaked open, and his account manager, David, entered, a middle-aged man dressed in a neat suit and possessing a practical demeanor. Andrew gazed at him, anticipating his words. 

David utilized his time wisely. “Mr. Blackwood, I must talk to you about the finances.” We have encountered considerable losses in the last several days. "To be truthful, the situation doesn't seem promising." 

Andrew's heart raced. “What do you mean by ‘significant losses’?” he inquired, his tone more authoritative than inquisitive. He loathed receiving negative updates, particularly when he was already overwhelmed with so much to handle. 

David looked at his notes, organizing his ideas before proceeding. “The firm's earnings have suffered a setback.” Twol of our key investors have started withdrawing their investments and are asking for refunds on the agreements they signed. It has gradually been occurring over the last several days, but now it is turning into a more urgent matter. 

Andrew clenched his jaw. He made an effort to remain calm, yet his irritation was growing. "What do you mean by that?" "Why are they withdrawing?" 

David moved awkwardly. "Indeed, sir, it appears that there are several issues related to the path the company is following." The investors are concerned that the recent market disruptions pose so much risk. "Nobody wants to loose their money, particularly during uncertain times, that the news of your divorce to Cecilia is still fresh. " 

Andrew sensed his anger rising. He rose suddenly, walking throughout the office while he absorbed the details. His hands balled into fists while his thoughts raced. This was not merely a business concern—it was a clear test of his leadership. 

David paused, feeling the change in Andrew’s demeanor. "I believe… the problem could be that your individual circumstances have influenced the company's viewpoint." I mean, people are beginning to talk. The investors are apprehensive that your attention has diverted, and without your complete focus, the company is at risk. 

The words struck Andrew like a blow. He became stiff, his whole body tightening as a wave of anger swept through him. He abruptly turned to confront his manager. “Are you suggesting that I’m incapable of managing Blackwood Enterprises?” he inquired, his tone ominously soft. 

David was taken aback, his eyes growing wide in surprise. “No, no, that’s not at all what I intended!” I simply… I was attempting to clarify the circumstances. It's not related to your leadership—it's merely about the situation, Alpha. Please don’t get it wrong. 

Andrew's nostrils widened, his wolf instincts on the verge of escaping, yet he resisted them. He didn't want his feelings to overwhelm him in front of his staff. Nevertheless, his patience was starting to diminish. 

"David, you need to be more cautious with your words," Andrew cautioned, his tone icy and steady. “If you suggest that I’m not managing things well, then perhaps you ought to reevaluate your stance here.” 

David’s complexion went pallid. He wasn’t certain how to fix the predicament, but he realized he had gone too far. He cleared his throat, attempting to calm his nerves. "I’m sorry, Alpha Andrew." I had no intention to upset you. “I simply felt it was necessary to highlight the truth of the matter.” 

Andrew did not respond right away. His thoughts were still racing, grasping the seriousness of the discussion. He was aware that the company's finances were delicate, but hearing it straight from David made it feel even more tangible. He was unable to handle any further distractions. The death of their unborn child, the conflict with Cecilia—it was overwhelming, and now it was impacting his work. 

In the end, Andrew inhaled deeply and exhaled gradually. "I no longer wish to hear any further excuses, David." I'll take care of the investors. However, I will come with good ideas on how to deal with this situation. I do not accept failure." 

David nodded swiftly, fear still evident in his eyes. "Certainly, Alpha." "I will make every effort to resolve this." 

“Alright,” Andrew stated, his tone conclusive. He gestured toward the door. "Now go." "I need some time to reflect." 

David paused for a moment, then turned and exited the office, the door clicking closed behind him. 

Andrew found himself isolated in the silence, the burden of his duties overwhelming him. Vivian was in pain, the company was struggling, and he found it hard to remedy either situation as easily as he could do a business transaction. He turned his gaze to the window, with the city skyline sprawled out in front of him. After a lengthy period, he found himself uncertain about what to do next.