Elena’s Pov:
I turned sharply, my heart hammering against my ribs, only to come face-to-face with the last person I expected to see.
*Alex.*
His piercing green eyes locked onto mine, his face set in an unreadable expression. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting sharp shadows across his sharp jawline, his slightly tousled brown hair swaying as a gentle breeze passed between us.
For a moment, I froze.
Of all the people in the pack, he was the one I wanted to avoid the most.
“Elena,” he finally said, his voice softer than I expected, almost hesitant.
I forced my expression into something neutral, though my fingers clenched at my sides. “What are you doing here?”
His jaw ticked. “We need to talk.”
I swallowed, glancing around. I didn't want to talk to h
