Theodore's POV
When I moved toward her, Seraphine went completely still. Her breathing caught, and something primal in me demanded I wrap her in my arms. She shook against my chest, those emerald eyes wide with terror.
"Promise me something," she breathed, her words barely audible. "Promise you won't hurt anyone because of me."
In our world, Alphas eliminated wolves who crossed lines. Blood was spilled without question when pack members challenged authority or threatened what belonged to us. Every wolf in my territory needed to understand one simple truth: touching Seraphine meant challenging me directly. And challenges came with deadly consequences.
But this woman was doing something impossible. She was dismantling every barrier I had built around myself, brick by brick, and I couldn't even see it happening.
