VANESSA
I studied Leo's profile in the golden afternoon light filtering through our suite windows. My brother was hiding something, and not just the obvious fact that he'd been skipping important Alpha duties.
"You've been disappearing again," I said, breaking the silence between us. "And don't try to tell me it's just about Olivia's appointments."
Leo rubbed the back of his neck, a gesture he'd had since childhood whenever he was caught in a lie. "Vanessa—"
"The pack is talking, Leo. Do you know what they're saying? That you're neglecting your duties. That you're not ready to be Alpha."
"I know what they're saying," he snapped, then immediately softened his tone. "I'm sorry. It's just... complicated."
I moved to sit beside him on the plush sofa. "We're in the middle of the most important Alpha summit in decades. Every major pack is watching us. Watching you. We've already dealt with one crisis this week with Olivia's health scare. I can't keep covering for you."