an's

e pack house, telling myself it was because of d

* I assured myself

ing restlessly in my mind. *Our m

ing a thick stack of documents. His normally compose

a," he said, placing the files on m

my stomach-the familiar ulcer pain returning with a vengeance. Withou

aching for the bottle of antacid

g his weight. "Alpha,

al in a pale blue dress that highlighted her fragile b

he stepped back. "We can discu

d, grabbing the pen.

eside me, her delicate hand resting on my shoulder. The light floral perfume she

rmured, her voice carrying

business training had taught me to scan documents efficiently,

ha, perhaps you should revie

uments?" Heidi interrupted, her bl

btle tension in his jaw. "No problem. Just standard proce

signing," Heidi responded with a

ed the stack toward Leo, eager to end

han necessary. As he turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of one documen

tened. "Is everything alright between you and Allison

nto alert mode, his growl rumbling in my chest. I

raightening papers on my desk

ith practiced concern. "Is it because of me? I would feel

"Allison is just... being emotional. She'll

i asked softly, her finger

e pretense of checking

ffered. "Woman to woman. Expla

mbering how she'd pressed against

" I stated firmly. "This

ng the light. "I understand. Now, about lu

for the change of

of refined atmosphere that reminded me of our dating years. Conversation flowed easily as we di

staurant, Heidi swayed slightly. I s

I asked, genuine

a bit tired. The treatmen

home," I offe

r. "Won't you stay? We could watch a movi

to ignore, but something held me ba

before she masked it with understandi

ss associates rather than returning to the pack house. The luxurious spac

tared at the ceiling. *I'm avoiding my

elt wrong. Empty. I'd never realized how much her pr

enough time had passed. Allison would h

lowers-pink peonies, not red roses as most would assume. It was

no delicious aromas greeted me. The absence of these small comforts, whi

llison's name. My voice echoed off the walls, met only with

mpty. Completely bare of the books, photographs, and small decora

Her closet stood open, empty hangers a stark testament to her a

ry I'd gifted her over the years-all with price tags still attac

The platinum band I'd placed on her finger two ye

been cold or dismissive, she had ne

at my chest. Fenrir howled in distress, sen

ned, pacing anxiously withi

th unexpected force. I had assumed her threat was merely an emotional

wasn't co

ime in years, I felt something like fear trickling through me. Not the calculated

our mate,* F

e, I didn't