Defending Her Alpha, Confronting Her Past (Indirectly)

"I swear, if Orion Valerius sneezed, it would make headline news in this pack," I muttered, organizing the sketches on my desk while my colleagues continued their endless speculation about our Alpha.

Clara leaned forward conspiratorially. "Well, he has changed so much over the past few years. Remember when he first took over? Total bad boy vibes—motorcycles, leather jackets, that dangerous smile..."

"And now he's all business suits and serious meetings," Sylvia chimed in, twirling a pencil between her fingers. "Though he still has that... intensity."

"I heard Alpha Knight from Silver Moon has stolen his bad boy crown," Chloe added, her eyes wide. "Apparently, he's even more intimidating now—practically ruthless in business dealings."

My fingers tightened around my coffee cup at the mention of Rhys. Four years hadn't dulled the sting of his name.