TESSA’S POV
I saw it the moment he walked into the office.
I knew something was wrong and it didn’t take long to figure out what.
That wasn’t him. I could see it—the restraint he was holding back, the war raging in his eyes.
For some reason, my thoughts drifted back to the conversation I’d had with Rex when I stumbled into his wing. He’d spoken about the distance he could go for the pack—for what belonged to them. I’d believed, then, that he was referring to the painting we were both admiring. But now, I could clearly see the hidden message. He was telling me exactly how far he’d go to protect his pack. And in his eyes, I was a… complication.
It wasn’t Wraith that wanted me gone. It was Alpha Rex.
And maybe he was right. After all, those soldiers died because of me, Wraith lost the fight against the Iron-side pack because of me, but I… couldn’t leave.
I meant every word I’d said to Wraith—every confession was genuine. It wasn’t the heat of the moment or desperation speaking. It was m
