ALPHA Arthur: The Mate Who Lied
"Little Heir, you’re looking a bit peaky. Is the Aurelius hospitality too cold for you?"
Xavier’s voice cut through the clinking of silver against bone china. He sat too close. The Shadow Pack Alpha radiated a manufactured warmth that filled the space between them like a thick, cloying steam. He smiled, teeth perfectly white, eyes crinkling in a way that screamed 'trust me' while his scent—a sharp, ozone-charged sandalwood—pushed aggressively against the edges of the room.