"You've been disappearing too often, Ethan. What the hell is going on?" Marcus demanded, his voice sharp as he stood in the doorway of Ethan's office.
Ethan didn't look up from the map he had been studying. "It's nothing you need to worry about."
"Like hell it's not," Marcus shot back, stepping forward, his frustration clear. "The pack is starting to notice. They're asking questions—dangerous ones. They think you're losing focus. And you know what? I'm starting to think they're right."
Ethan's eyes snapped up, his gaze hardening. "Watch your tone, Marcus. You're my Beta, not my keeper."
"And you're my Alpha," Marcus retorted, not backing down. "It's my job to protect this pack, and right now, you're not doing it. You're distracted. Everyone can see it."
Ethan stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the wooden floor. "I'm handling it. There's more going on than you realize."
Marcus' eyes narrowed. "This is about her, isn't it? Avery."