"I-I..." she stammered, her voice trembling under his intense gaze. "I was just..."

Before she could come up with an excuse, Alpha Kellan’s expression softened, replaced by a look of concern. “I was worried about you,” he said, his voice gentler than before. “You disappeared without a word, and I had no idea where you went.”

Ava’s eyes widened in surprise; she hadn’t expected Alpha Kellan to be worried about her. Instantly feeling guilty, she realized the worry she might have caused him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I didn’t mean to cause you any problems.”

Alpha Kellan’s expression softened further. “I know,” he said calmly. “But...