Isla's POV
Defending...me?
Why would he?
All eyes in the room turned to Adrian, who calmly lowered his foot back to the ground. His face was entirely expressionless, his eyes frozen over.
Adrian replied coldly, "I am Alpha. No one disobeys my direct orders."
"He followed orders," Gideon said. "You wanted her returned alive."
"I did not give the order for her to be punished. That was my right to give. By carrying out his own punishment, he has denied me mine, and that is the same as defying me."
"But Alpha, surely –"
Adrian abruptly turned, his icy gaze now landing on his Beta. "Are you questioning your Alpha?"
Gideon immediately closed his mouth. In respect, he lowered his head.
Adrian looked away from him, as he turned toward the room. "Everyone out. I will deal with her private
