Zarek.
Her eyes widened just a little at my tone, but she nodded obediently and stepped toward me. Jesse, however, had the audacity to give me a knowing smirk—like he understood something I didn’t—and slipped out of the room.
The moment he shut the door behind him, the air grew heavier.
I didn’t sit. I didn’t move closer. I kept the distance between us deliberate as I told her about the event.
“It’s an important gathering,” I said, my voice flat. “Other Alphas will be there with their Lunas. I need you to behave. No unnecessary talk. No mistakes. Do not embarrass me.”
She flinched slightly, her eyes softening with something that looked like hurt—but I didn’t care enough to soften my tone.
After a moment, she nodded slowly. “I… I understand, Zarek.”
“Good.”
I folded my arms. “Dress
