ALICE POV
As we entered the private dining room, Alpha Brandon and Luna Angela were already seated, their expressions tense but composed. Alex took his usual spot in a large armchair, his grip on my hand firm as he tugged me gently into his lap. Normally, I might roll my eyes or tease him about it, but after everything with Vaden, I understood his need for closeness. I was shaken too, though I was better at hiding it.
His hand rested on my waist, fingers tracing small patterns as if grounding both of us. I could feel the tension radiating from his body, and I knew he was still worked up from the earlier confrontation. Vaden’s constant insinuations had set both Alex and Leo on edge.
"All right, what else is there to say?" Alex asked, his tone sharper than usual. He wasn’t in the mood fo
