She flinched back due to fear. Looking up, she found herself face to face with Alpha Kellan, his face unread in the darkness of the garden.

“Alpha Kellan, you scared me,” she backed away, her heart still racing from the unexpected encounter.

Alpha Kellan's eyes softened when he saw Ava's surprise. “I'm sorry, Ava,” he whispered, his voice soft. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” Despite the tension between them, his presence put Ava at ease, and the apology eased her nerves.

“Is everything all right?” he asked, looking at her face as he tried to read her expression, his concern obvious. Ava hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to...