I felt Nicola's mood lift as the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

“Hello, I am Alpha Nicola.” His tone was polite but carried a hint of distance—an air that came with being in a position of power.

Mathew's eyes narrowed, and suddenly, a surge of anger bubbled up within him.

“Alice, don’t mess around.” Mathew turned to Nicola, his expression intense.

“Do you even know her? Do you know what she likes? Do you know what she can and cannot touch?” Mathew was rarely this uncomposed.

“She likes reading, loves flowers, but she can’t touch them. She’s allergic to many things—over two hundred, in fact. Common ones include...