Vinorca Jona POV

“You were out the whole night?”

I froze mid-step, the words cutting sharp in the hallway. My pulse hammered against my ears, and I had known this was coming—of course I had—but knowing didn’t make facing it any easier.

“Alpha Dante waited for you all night with a cake.” The head maid’s voice rasped, rough with anger. I didn’t need to see her face to know she was livid. She’d never once been pleased with me since the day I arrived here.

I kept my back to her. “I didn’t know he’d have a cake for me. I was at a group study with my friend.” The...