"That's all? No questions? No feelings about it?"
"I appreciate knowing the parameters. I'll adjust accordingly."
He studies me, confusion threading behind his eyes. "You don't have to avoid us anymore. You know that, right? You can take your place again."
My place.
At the table. At their feet. In their bed.
"I'll keep that in mind."
He hesitates. "If I reach for you, you don't have to move away."
"I haven't."
He falters, then huffs an almost-laugh, frustrated. "You've been careful. Distant. Somewhere else in your head. I'm not accustomed to that from you."
"You wanted less need. You have it."
He doesn't like the answer, but he can't deny it.
"To be clear—I am lifting your ban. From all the alphas. They're allowed to touch you again. Nest with you. We'll adjust the rotation back to something fair."
Fair.
The word floats between us like a joke no one wants to claim.
"Is there anything you'd like to say?"
"Yes. Thank you for considering my request about outside activities."
His brows lift. "Your club idea?"
"You said you'd think about it. Something in the evenings. To be out of everyone's way."
He nods slowly. "I haven't forgotten. I'm looking into options. It has to be appropriate for your designation and registered safety protocols."
A corner of my mouth lifts. "I don't like boxing."
"You like plants. And baking. And books."
"You could just say 'clubs that are harmless.'"
"I could. I won't. But I'll see what's available."
I incline my head. "All right."
He watches me look at the surface of his desk.
For a heartbeat, his expression slips. Regret. Something like grief. Then his features settle back into neutral authority.
"Anything else?"
He swallows. "No. That's all."
I straighten. "Thank you, Alpha."
He flinches at the title like it's too sharp. "Verena—"
