Author’s POV "Because you don't deserve this proposal." Sylvia rose slowly to her feet, her delicate features a mask of cool detachment. The subtle shift in her posture—shoulders back, chin lifted—sent ripples of unease through the conference room. Her wolf stirred beneath her skin, tired of being restrained. She watched Sunny prance around like some performer in a cheap sideshow. The woman's desperate energy reminded Sylvia of lower-ranking wolves trying to claim territory they hadn't earned. Sunny clenched her fists, her expression indignant. "What's that supposed to mean?" Her face contorted into something ugly. "Are you jealous of my proposal? Is that it? God, Sylvia, you're so petty." When Sylvia had first stood up, Sunny had appeared frightened—the instinctive rea

