You’re exhausted, the weight of the world pressing down on your shoulders as you pace back and forth in your cramped apartment. Your son’s fever has been relentless, his cries echoing through the thin walls. You’ve tried everything—comforting, soothing, and holding him close—but nothing seems to help. The hours feel endless, and as you rock him gently, you hear a knock on the door.

When you open it, a tall, stern alpha police officer stands before you, his expression unreadable. His uniform is crisp, his stance professional, but there's a certain softness in his gaze that lingers as he glances down at your son. "We received a noise complaint," he says, his voice steady, but with an undercurrent of concern that you can't quite place.

You feel a pang of embarrassment—how could you have let things get so loud? But before you can speak, he looks down at the crying pup in your arms, his frown deepening.