Lucian’s POV To avoid Sheila at home, I’d taken to spending long hours at the Alpha headquarters building. At first, much of the staff had seemed unnerved by my presence, as if they always needed to be formal, but now, they were coming to be more comfortable with me. No more saluting in the hallways, now they simply nodded and moved on. A welcome change. The staff, even with this breech in formality, I could tell still respected me. The rest of the pack, however, I was starting to have doubts about. “Aria’s not home,” Cathy said through the phone. “She never seems to be home when I call,” I replied. “And I call at all hours.” “I know you do,” Cathy said with annoyance. “Have you given her my messages?” I asked. “I have.” “Does she ever say anything, to tell me in return?” “No.”

