I winced at Leo's wistful tone. His offer of protection sounded so genuine it hurt. I wished that offer was for me, not Eva.
But the truth was he was married to Eva, the Alpha Daughter of Arthur's pack, and he despised Tessa, the scarred maid. I had nothing but these stolen moments. It was wrong to wish for anything more.
I needed to say something, to answer his plea. What would Eva say? What would be believable?
“It isn't that simple,” I said. “I'm the Alpha Daughter. I have an image I have to maintain.”
“Why?” Leo asked.
Why? I had no idea. I wasn't Eva, I didn't know why she was a haughty jerk to everyone.
“Our pack is weak,” I said, putting together Eva's complaints with things I'd heard Alpha Arthur mutter at his desk while I cleaned. “Our numbers are low, our Alpha, my father
