ALFRED POV

The early morning sun was bright, but my mood was not.

I sat in silence in my study, going over reports, but my mind kept drifting to Hanni. She had been quiet earlier at breakfast. Distant. When I asked if she was okay, she just smiled and said she was fine.

But she was not fine. I could feel it clearly though the mate bond.

Andre walked in with a clean parchment in his hands and announced, “The trade agreement with Stone River is ready for your signature. Alpha.”

I nodded and sighed without looking.

Marcus followed behind him and threw himself on the sofa. “Someone is grumpy...