Recently, I have had a strange feeling that every time Alpha is nearby, the air undergoes subtle changes. I noticed him sneaking a peek, a fleeting glance, his sharp gray eyes rushing towards me, pausing his heartbeat before leaving with a snap, his face wearing a cold calm mask. But what about those brief and sneaky glances? They planted a small seed of hope in my once desolate heart, a tenacious sprout sprouting on the hard soil.

And then - that smile. An almost invisible smile, his lips ...