“Well,” she said lightly, forcing a teasing tone, “you’re the Alpha everyone has to schedule weeks in advance just to consult. Now you’re personally tending to me for free. I should feel honored. Most wolves can’t even get a proper appointment with you.”
Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Nathanie’s hands paused for the briefest moment. His brows drew together faintly, as if he sensed something beneath her words.
Was she mocking him?
The thought irritated him more than he expected.
He suppressed the feeling and resumed applying the liniment, his fingers firm but controlled as he worked around the swelling.
Only after he finished rubbing the first layer into her skin did he finally speak.
“Olivia’s place was broken into last night,” he said, voice calm. “I’ve arranged for her to stay here for a while. Just until things settle.”
Adriana’s body went still.
So that was it.
The unusual patience earlier. The missing key. The guest room that had been freshly cleaned.
None of it had been spontaneous.
He had already planned everything.
And only now was he informing her.
A quiet understanding settled over her chest like frost.