A few hours passed the weight of Dimitri's internal struggle evident in his weary form. As he sat on the couch in his office, eyes closed and an almost empty bottle of wine within reach.

A knock suddenly came, momentarily distracting him from his thoughts.

"Come in" he commanded, opening his eyes and looking expectantly at the door until Carson entered the room.

"Alpha Dimitri," Carson concernedly asked as soon as he entered, "Are you alright?"

The sight of his usually composed and unyielding Alpha in such a state sent a wave of concern washing over Carson. In his hundred years of serving as Dimitri's beta, he has seldom seen...