The council chamber was empty when Lucas returned.
He had ordered everyone out ten minutes ago, yet the silence felt more crowded than the room had during the hearing.
Aariana Calder’s presence still seemed to cling to the walls.
Not as the frightened maid he remembered.
As the Alpha who had walked into his territory without lowering her eyes.
As the woman who had looked at him as though five years had taught her how to live without him.
Lucas closed the chamber doors.
Then locked them.
He crossed to the council table and pulled open the drawer where the old records were kept.
The annulment papers were still there.
He had already examined them once.
Now he wanted to know what else had been hidden.
He removed the folder and placed it beneath the lamp.
Five years a
