Candidate Five: Rafe
Rafe is the swaggering male. He tries to bring that same careless confidence into my office, like charm will cover the gaps in his discipline.
He sits without permission.
Rowan’s body shifts an inch, a warning without words.
“Stand,” I say.
He blinks. “Alpha, I thought this was an interview, not a test.”
“Stand,” I repeat.
Rafe stands, irritation flashing hot on his face.
“You are assigned to Elena,” I say. “She has a panic response. She wakes from nightmares. She is tired. She is polite even when she is breaking. Tell me what you do when she apologizes for being a burden.”
Rafe scoffs before he can stop himself. “I would tell her she isn’t one.”
“And then,” I say.
He frowns. “And then I would do my job.”
“Wrong,” I tell him. “You would make it about you. Y
