Ava's POV
My throat went dry. I didn’t answer.
Instead, I shifted slightly, blocking the doorway without thinking. My wolf pushed forward, protective and territorial, not over the house but over Emma.
I didn’t want him stepping inside.
Anderson’s frown deepened, his alpha presence pressing forward, dominant without effort.
“I asked you a question.”
“I…” The word caught in my throat. I forced it out. “I came to visit Mrs. Hale.”
My voice sounded smaller and weaker than I liked.
Last time, I hadn’t backed down. I had met him head-on, claws out, ready to fight.
But this time… Emma was inside, and I would do anything to protect her from Anderson.
“Mrs. Hale?” he repeated, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You know her?”
I nodded. Just then, realization dawned on me. Anderson was the fri
