I drum my fingers against the polished surface of my desk, Sophia's request echoing in my mind. "Can you find out what happened to my parents?" Such a simple question, loaded with so much vulnerability. Even in asking for this favour, she'd maintained that stubborn pride, refusing to beg despite the tears gathering in her eyes.
Something about her quiet dignity in that moment had struck a chord I didn't realise I still possessed. Fifty years as Alpha has taught me that sentiment is weakness, yet here I am, contemplating using pack resources to ease one omega's mind.
Vance enters without knocking, the one privilege I allow him as my Beta. He moves with that predatory grace that's become second nature after decades at my side, settling into the chair across from me without waiting for perm
