Maxine's POV

I steeled myself and knocked on the door. Clara opened it, a look of surprise flashing across her face before she replaced it with a smug, or perhaps a victorious smile. “What do you want, Maxine?” she asked, her tone trickling with condescension.

With tears threatening to spill, I said, “I need to speak with Alpha. It’s important.”

Clara’s eyes narrowed as she tried to form an excuse. “He’s busy right now, and—”

Before she could finish, Liam appeared behind ...