Chapter 205

Author's POV Allison stared at Liam with hopeful eyes, her arm still in a sling from yesterday's accident. The scent of antiseptic clung to her bandages, but what bothered her most wasn't the pain—it was the weekend obligation looming ahead. "I need to ask you for a favor," she said, watching his expression carefully. "No." Liam's response came without hesitation, his broad shoulders rigid under his tailored suit. The Alpha's scent—pine and something untamed—filled the space between them. Allison pressed on. "I'm injured. Could you possibly tell your mother I can't make it to piano lessons this weekend?" She kept her own scent carefully masked—a trick she'd perfected years ago. As an Alpha wolf herself, Allison had learned to conceal her true nature, wanting to find a partner who chose her for herself, not because of pack dynamics. And until she knew if Liam was that person, she'd continue her charade. Liam sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Whatever my mother's intentions,