An Alpha's Interrogation and a Mother's Dread

I busied myself in the kitchen, trying to calm my racing thoughts as I prepared coffee. Inviting Orion into my home like this felt monumental—like I was finally merging the separate lives I'd maintained for so long.

"Three sugars in mine, sis!" Gideon called from the living room, making himself comfortable as if he owned the place.

Through the kitchen doorway, I could see Orion standing by the mantelpiece, his powerful frame perfectly still as he studied the collection of framed photos. He didn't look like a guest; he looked like he was cataloging information. The afternoon sunlight caught his profile, highlighting the sharp angles of his face. Despite everything, I couldn't help admiring how handsome he was—how the casual confidence in his stance made my heart flutter.

I arranged coffee mugs on a tray, along with cream and sugar, my hands trembling slightly. When I returned to the living room, Orion was holding a photo frame, examining it intently.