48. Together

Tanner had barely reached the last step of the staircase when he encountered Avla, whose eyes narrowed when she took in his agitation. "What happened?" she asked, her words filled with a mix of concern and authority.

"I need to get out of here before I do something I'll regret," Tanner muttered, his fists clenched and eyes still ablaze from his heated exchange with Gideon.

Avla assessed Tanner quickly, her instincts peaking. "Alright. Kane is out front. Go spar with him. Give me a few minutes inside."

Grateful but still restless, Tanner nodded and made his way out of the house. Avla took a deep breath, then proceeded toward Gideon’s office. She knocked lightly before entering, her presence immediately filling the room, already thick with the residue of male aggression.

Gideon looked up, his eyes meeting Avla’s with a mixture of relief and trepidation. She closed the door behind her and sat down across from him. "Talk to me. What happened?"

"It was Tanner. He's worried about the Yorgan