Aria's POV
Julian cleared his throat awkwardly, his scent spiking with a sharp burst of defensive, embarrassed musk.
"It's freezing tonight. She forgot her gloves, so I was just helping her keep her hands warm."
Ramon stared down, letting out a low chuckle as he shook his head in absolute disbelief.
He slowly scanned Julian and Kierra from head to toe, his dark eyes brimming with silent mockery.
Kierra forced a tight, rigid smile onto her face, though the bitter, metallic tang of her anxious pheromones gave away her panic.
"Alpha Ramon, please don't get the wrong idea. Julian is a real gentleman. We just happened to see Aria from down the street and thought she might be in some kind of trouble, so we hurried over to check on her."
She gently swayed Julian's arm, her voice drippin
