The following minutes unfolded with strained normalcy. Emma and Elijah engaged Alpha Donovan in conversation about the specifics of the engineering assistance, while I drifted slightly apart to speak with Christian who had approached during the exchange. My brother's perceptive gaze missed nothing, noting Emma's tension and my protective stance with that analytical assessment that made him invaluable in court politics.
"Trouble?" he murmured, pitching his voice for my ears alone.
"Potentially," I acknowledged. "Her former mate is apparently in attendance."
Christian's expression sharpened, gray eyes scanning the room with renewed focus. "The abusive one. Interesting timing."
"Indeed." I kept Emma in my peripheral vision, tracking her movements with an awareness that transcended ordinar
