It was subtle. Anyone else might’ve missed it.
I didn’t.
The woman turned slowly, completely composed, as if this was exactly how she’d expected the moment to unfold.
“Alexander,” she said softly. “Hi.”
What!
This was a formal pack ceremony. Titles mattered here. Respect mattered. Apart from immediate family, no one addressed him so casually in a setting like this.
Not unless they were very certain of their place.
I didn’t say a word. I just watched.
Alexander’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. He didn’t return the greeting. Instead, he went straight to the point.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
The woman didn’t flinch.
She turned fully toward him, stepping a little closer—close enough to feel intentional without being inappropriate.
“Last time I checked,” she said calm
