Elin’s POV：

I hesitated for a breath, then forced myself to continue.

“But still, I owe you an apology, Alpha Grayson. I shouldn’t have lied to them… I shouldn’t have said you were my… boyfriend.”

Grayson’s mouth curved, a faint, easy smile that somehow softened the weight in the air.

“I only want to know one thing,” he said gently. “Did it help you?”

His words caught me off guard. I blinked, then nodded quickly.

“Of course it did. You helped me out of a very awkward ...