An awkward silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken tension. Valerius's last words hung in the air, his compliment making my cheeks flush despite my best efforts to maintain composure.
I took another sip of wine, trying to calm my racing heart. There was something dangerous about this man—not just his obvious physical strength or his Alpha status, but the way he looked at me. Like he could see through every defense I'd built around myself.
"You're staring," I finally said, breaking the silence.
Valerius didn't even have the decency to look embarrassed. "And you're avoiding my questions about your mates."
I winced at his direct approach. "What do you want me to say? That my life with them has been a fairy tale?"
"I want the truth, Seraphina." His voice was low, compelling. "Why are you running from three Alphas who, by all accounts, should be protecting you with their lives?"
