Ashriel’s POV
I didn’t rush out of eagerness. I rushed out of disbelief. What the hell did he mean by Lucien was back?
And worse the guard talked as if I knew that he was coming. I had to go ask the elders because how in the godsdamned hell could everyone know Lucien was arriving… and I, the Alpha commander of this pack, had heard nothing until now?
I stalked ahead, barely aware of Aurelia keeping pace beside me. I think she asked me something—my name, maybe, or if I was alright—but I didn’t register it. Not really. The blood in my ears was too loud, my pulse too sharp. Lucien was actually back. Without warning.
The heavy front gates of the pack house stood ahead, and the moment I rounded the courtyard and came into full view—I stopped.
Because the entire damn pack was already gather
