Alpha Kayden – POV
I needed space, a break from the madness of preparing to marry a woman I barely know. Alaska City seemed like the perfect escape, so I drove there, hoping to drown my thoughts in a bar. A beer in hand, the gnawing discomfort inside me refused to settle. Everything felt numb. It's no surprise that love brings such agony. I swore I wouldn’t fall into that trap. Focusing on the pack was safer. It kept me from feeling vulnerable. Vulnerability was weakness, and I couldn’t afford to show it—not to anyone. My father’s words echoed in my mind: never let anyone know what you feel. They’ll manipulate you.
“Thought I’d never cross paths with you again.”
I glanced up. Kate stood there, a beer in hand, her face unreadable but clearly not happy to see me.
“You can pretend you did
