Alpha's quarters. The fireplace crackled softly, its glow casting long shadows along th

rs drumming against the grain. His expression was unre

curiosity. Across from him, Sophie perched on the armrest of a chair, her da

irst to break

going to sit there

ticked. "I

"Right. And I'm

ier ignored them both. His mind wa

s

was

rs, after all the r

't said a word since Nathaniel tol

ingers sti

ld come. You knew she'd have to return eventually. So why the

ning back in his chair. "B

ws lifted. "Tha

said. "She left. S

er arms. "She wa

as doing." His voice was even, but the

moment before pushing off th

't answer i

truth was, h

like to have her near. He had convinced himself that if

she wa

ce was the las

owed her ey

d down his face. "I don'

le

out a low chuckle

eat Alpha Xavier Storm

sharp look, but

tinued, her tone softer now.

quiet for a

, "She doesn't w

coffed. "Ye

ted out. "Which means som

es darkened

he room fe

all knew wh

rough his hair. "If she

as soon as she ca

s tasted

sion unreadable. "And you

didn't

was the quest

me in his life, he d