Alicia's POV

Perla’s loathing for me could hardly be described as subtle.

I couldn’t understand it. It was our first meeting, and yet her disdain felt as if it had been cultivated over years. But I had already let her behavior slide once before. This time, however, I wasn’t going to.

“Perla…” I had just started to speak when another voice cut in, scolding her sharply

“You’ve gone too far, Perla!” Axel’s voice was ...