The perpetual scratching of my pen against paper filled the quiet office as I buried myself in work. Pack treaty amendments, border disputes, financial reports—anything to keep my mind occupied. Anything to avoid thinking about her.
Seraphina.
I rubbed my eyes, exhaustion settling deep in my bones. Three days had passed since I'd struck her. Three days of avoiding her, of drowning in paperwork to escape the memory of her eyes after my palm connected with her cheek.
A knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Enter," I called, not bothering to look up.
Marcus, our Beta, stepped inside with another stack of documents. "More reports for your review, Alpha."
"Just leave them there." I gestured vaguely to my already cluttered desk.
Instead of leaving, Marcus lingered. I could feel his disapproving gaze on me.
"Something on your mind?" I finally looked up, irritation clear in my voice.
He straightened his shoulders. "Permission to speak freely, Alpha?"
