Looking toward the door, he saw me and immediately stood. “Aria.” I knew Matt well. In the past, he’d asked me on a few dates, and I even went on a couple. But at the same time, Lucian and I had begun to become entangled. My growing love of Lucian kept me from developing feelings for Matt. In the
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 hallwa
Aria’s POV “Aria,” Lucian said, his voice low, nearly growling. I stood on the sidewalk beside Matt, watching as Lucian’s car came to a screeching halt and then as Lucian himself emerged, storming toward us. My heart sunk down with dread. Lucian’s face was twisted with rage. Had he discovered
“What were you doing with him?” Lucian asked. “I was visiting Caleb in the hospital,” I explained, eager to clear up this misunderstanding so that we could get to the better part of what might happen here. “Matt was there too. He seemed upset about everything, so I agreed to have coffee with him.
Aria’s POV Back at Cathy’s house, I changed into my Dr. A disguise. Cathy watched worriedly from the doorway to my bedroom as I looked in the mirror, adjusting my mask. “I think it’s too soon,” she said. “I can’t keep dragging my feet about Caleb,” I replied. After seeing him for myself and sp
I didn’t want to lie to Matt. “Not good.” Matt was already wearing a neutral expression, but now it hardened further. I imagined his ability to restrain his emotions was part of what made him a good soldier on the battlefield. I felt sorry for it now, though, for this restraint seemed to hold him
Aria’s POV After the mob dispersed, I decided to call Cathy and return home to rest, at least for a while. I needed to think, somewhere it was safe, and I wouldn’t be able to relax in the hospital. With all the tests I ran on Caleb, there was nothing more I could do for him either. I needed to f
Aria’s POV “You don’t need to apologize for Lucian,” Matt said quickly. I shook my head. “I do. His behavior was out of line, and instead of trying to clear up the misunderstanding, I went along with him and left you there.” “It’s fine, Aria.” “It isn’t,” I insisted. “I should have corrected
In a flash, Lucian was there instead, stepping into the space between us. I couldn’t see what happened, but I smelled Lucian’s blood. My wolf whined in sympathetic pain.The rest of the bottle quickly smashed on the floor.In the end, William was bound to a chair, treated even as the police were on
Aria’s POVIn our little house in Moonglow, I woke up early to head into work. Lucian woke up at the same time as me, I think to have tea with me in the little kitchen. He always took the kids to school before he started his assistant job at the clinic.“You sleep okay?” I asked him, as he heated up
She was beautiful. Why had I never noticed before?Why was I noticing now?Quickly, I looked down at the menu. It was far too soon for a new romance, not if I wanted to find one for real. I wasn’t about to play around with Cathy’s heart, when she had come to be such a friend.And I didn’t want to pl
Jasper’s POVA couple of days after I punched Lucian, and he quit and ran off with Aria, Cathy invited me out to lunch. Sitting across from me now, in a café that we tended to frequent when we got together, she was looking at me as one might a wounded animal, as if trying to determine if I needed co
But Jasper’s words still rang true. When was the last time, as Alpha, I had ever been happy?The job made me miserable, even before Aria had left me. Constant pressure, constant responsibility, constant ridicule, limited thanks. Years and years of it had worn me down, eroded like a rock in the water
Lucian’s POVJasper’s punch caught me by surprised. I stumbled back, nearly into the elevator again as the doors started to close. He definitely broke my nose. Holding it, I stepped forward again, back off the elevator. Blood dripped down onto my shirt.Jasper had several different reasons to be pis
Over the next few days, I didn’t see Lucian at all. Presumably he saw the kids after I took them to spend time with their grandparents. Harold was out of the hospital and eager to see the kids.With the kids there, I returned to Cathy’s and started packing up my clothes and that of the kids. Cathy w
Aria’s POV“Lucian…”I could tell he was hanging on my every word, nervously anticipating my answer.I hated that I was about to break him. But surely he would understand.“I’m sorry,” I said. “I can’t marry you.” Before he could say anything, and he clearly wanted by how quickly he opened his mouth
Aria’s POVWe all waited with bated breath to see how Harold would handle the medicine. Perhaps I had been too late in providing it? The heart monitor was still beating too quickly. Harold was moaning in pain. The nearby Healers seemed ready to help him along with his passing. Piper and I physically