Her mother’s voice cut through the silence again, sharp and deliberate. “I understand that you and the Alpha have been friends since childhood, along with Naya,” she said, her gaze firmly fixed on Isla. “But with this marriage in place, appearances will be everything. For your own good, Isla, you will do well to address him as ‘the Alpha’ from now on. Referring to him by his name is no longer appropriate.”
Isla’s stomach tightened at her mother’s words. She kept her expression neutral, but her mind was spinning.
Her mother continued, oblivious to Isla’s growing discomfort. “After all, he will soon be an in-law to this family. You must act accordingly, with the respect his position demands.”
The word in-law felt like a slap in the face. Isla’s throat tightened as her emotions churned ins
