However, that incident had not been entirely negative. At least now I had seen the truth behind Aliona's polished mask. Under the surface, she was not as harmless as she pretended within the pack halls, and I knew better now than to let her get close again. A woman like her didn't stay in Bourgeois just for ambition. Everything about her presence pointed toward one purpose—Elliot.
Still, I understood it in a way that unsettled me. Women like her, like so many others, were drawn to him for reasons that had little to do with logic and everything to do with instinct. Alpha-level dominance always attracted attention, even when it came with danger.
Hayley had just stepped out of the car at the international airport when she exhaled slowly, steadying herself before lifting her phone. She hesitated only a moment before dialing his number.
The call connected after several seconds, and the familiar deep voice came through, calm and distant. "Hello, Hayley. Is something wrong?"
