It was already evening when Rain burst back into Val's suite. He didn't bother with a soft knock this time. He just slammed the door open.

He found Val in the small, private garden just outside his rooms. Val stood among the green plants, his back to the door, and with a tense posture.

Rain walked quickly towards him. "Alpha," he began, with a raw voice.

Val didn't turn. "What's the report?" he responded with a cold, flat tone.

Rain took a breath. "She's... it's worse than we thought, ...