ANNA'S POV
We dressed on opposite sides of the room. I made the coffee — black for him, sugar in mine. I set his cup on the counter and went on pouring my own when he came in.
"You're still making my coffee," he said.
"It's part of the performance."
He reached for the cup. Our fingers brushed and stayed there. Neither of us pulled back.
"The pack gathers today," he said, eyes on his coffee. "The monthly exhibition. The Alpha has to be there. The Luna should be seen with him."
I looked at him. "So you're asking me to come for appearances."
"I'm telling you appearances matter."
"That's not an answer."
He set the cup down and turned to face me.
"Anna. The bargain says you stand beside me. This is one of those places."
His voice stayed even. His eyes stayed on my face a beat past wh
