The Price of an Apology

I paced back and forth in my office, hands clenched into fists. The walls seemed to close in as Hudson delivered the news about Seraphina's response.

"She said what?" I asked, my voice dangerously low.

Hudson shifted uncomfortably. "She won't be coming back without a personal apology, Alpha. Her exact words were that she 'doesn't accept secondhand repentance.'"

The words hit me like a physical blow. I'd expected her to be grateful that I'd discovered the truth, that I was willing to bring her back. Instead, she was demanding that I, Vincent Powell, Alpha of the Silver Crescent pack and Chairman of the Lycan Council, come to her personally.

"Damn it," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "I've been trying to reach her all week. She hasn't answered a single call or text."

"Can you blame her?" Hudson asked quietly, then immediately tensed, realizing he'd overstepped.