Chapter Thirteen: The Shadow of Betrayal

Ella walked into Alpha Moore’s office, the familiar scent of leather and aged wood welcoming her. As usual, he sat behind his large mahogany desk, composed and focused on a document in his hands. His face, though calm, had a glimmer of intensity in his eyes as he read. Without thinking, Ella moved toward him, her exhaustion weighing her down. She leaned slightly against the edge of his desk, seeking comfort in his steady presence.

“A patient lost his wolf today,” Ella said softly, her voice laced with frustration. “I don't know how I could have helped him. I…”

Alpha Moore’s eyes softened as he looked up at her, gently placing his palm over her hand. His touch was warm, grounding her. “We’ll sort that out later, my dear,” he said in a soothing tone cutting her off. “Right now, we have a more urgent matter to deal with.”

Ella raised an eyebrow in question her attention shifting as Moore slid a letter across the desk toward her, its edges slightly crumpled from his earlier handling.. She