Valentine stepped into Alpha Conrad’s office, a stack of reports balanced in his arm. He froze mid- stride. 

Was that a smile on Alpha Conrad’s face? 

Alpha Conrad was leaning back in his chair, a soft, genuine smile was etched onto the Alpha’s faceas he sat lost in thought. 

"Are you... are you actually smiling?" Valentine asked, his voice hushed with disbelief. 

Conrad snapped out of his reverie, the smile vanishing instantly. He cleared his throat, adjustinghistie. "I always smile, Valentine. Don't be dramatic." 

"No, you don’t!" Valentine squealed, then quickly caught himself, smoothing his shirt. "I mean... maybe you think you do, but you don’t. This is my first...