Maxine pov

As the days passed, I started to notice small changes in Liam’s behavior. He was still stern and demanding, but there was a hint of something else—something softer. He didn’t shout as much, and there were moments when I caught him watching me with a curious expression.

One afternoon, as I was leaving his chambers, he called out to me. "Maxine."

I turned, surprised. "Yes, Alpha?"

He hesitated as if struggling to find the right words. "Thank you," he finally said. "For the ...