Elara's POV
“I understand that he sees something in me that you never have,” I shot back, the words escaping before I could stop them. Alpha Anthony's face tightened, a flicker of pain flashing in his eyes, but he masked it quickly. Still, it was too late—the damage was done.
“What are you talking about?” he asked, his voice quieter now, but there was an edge to it, a dangerous calm. “I’ve always seen you, Elara. You know that.”
I shook my head, my chest tightening as emotions I hadn’t wanted to face came rushing to the surface. “You’ve always seen someone who needs protection, someone who can’t handle her own power. But that’s not who I am, Alpha. I’m not weak. I’m not some fragile thing that needs to be saved.”
“I’ve never thought you were weak,” he said, stepping closer, his eyes s
