Alfred didn’t move. His jaw was tight, his eyes fixed on me like he was scared of what I was about to say but even more scared of me choosing silence.

I took a slow breath. “Alfred… the reason my wolf awakened the way she did… it wasn’t random.”

His brows pulled together. “Bella, just tell me. I can take anything.”

“Promise you won’t step back,” I said.

He shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I swallowed hard. “Roland wasn’t just ...