The rest of the dinner had been a blur, an exhausting display of forced smiles and empty conversations. As the evening finally wound down, her father excused her from the gathering, and she was allowed to withdraw to her room.
Once inside, Bella finally allowed herself to breathe. The tension that had been constricting her chest all evening began to ease as she closed the door behind her. She felt a wave of relief wash over her, but it was short-lived. A sharp knock at the door broke her brief moment of peace. Her heart sank.
When Bella opened the door, she found her father standing there, his presence instantly filling the small space. Alpha Ryker stepped inside without waiting for permission, his tall, commanding figure moving with the authority that always made her stomach twist with
