Kieran:
The confusion on my mate's face almost made me smile.
Almost.
If I weren't so practiced at keeping my expression carefully neutral in public spaces, I might have given myself away right then. But years of standing before lecture halls full of sharp-eyed students and council chambers filled with power-hungry Alphas had taught me restraint. So I kept my face composed, my posture relaxed, my tone professional... just as she was doing, despite the clear questions swirling behind her dazzling amber orbs.
The moment her project senior mentioned the herb records she was working on, I noticed it.
Her gaze flicked instinctively to the heavy book resting behind her on the desk, fingers twitching faintly as if she wanted to protect it, before she lifted her eyes to meet mine. It was brief... barely a second... but it was there. A silent question filled with curiosity.
Then she looked away.
Good.
Professional Evaline was holding.
Before anyone else could speak, I stepped in.
