ALICE POV
I watched Alex walk away, his strong, confident stride gradually fading as he disappeared down the corridor of the pack house. My heart ached with the sudden emptiness, but I shook it off. There was no time to dwell on my feelings; there were more pressing matters at hand.
Turning on my heel, I nearly collided with Paolo, who was heading toward the library. His face brightened when he saw me, but before he could say anything, Ilaria appeared out of nowhere, practically bouncing with excitement. She wrapped us both in a tight embrace, her infectious energy bringing a reluctant smile to my face.
“Whoa, where did you come from?” Paolo asked, his eyes wide with surprise. “And wait a minute, what are you even doing here? Or… don’t tell me—are you not human either? What the hell! Wh
