CHRIS
The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, gilding the wooden panels of my father’s study with a warm glow. I sat stiffly on the leather chair opposite his desk, my hands clenched into fists to stop them from shaking. The tension in the room was suffocating, and Alpha Marion, my father wasn’t helping. He sat across from me, his expression unreadable as he scrutinized me like I was a puzzle he needed to solve.
“Do you trust her?” His voice was low, but there was an edge to it that made me straighten in my seat.
“Who?” I asked, though we both knew exactly who he meant.
“Valerie.”
My thoughts raced as I tried to piece together an answer that wouldn’t betray my uncertainty. Did I trust her? I wasn’t sure. There were moments when Valerie seemed genuine, when her courage and s
