Evander’s POVI give the remnants of my woeful breakfast a disgusted look. I don't have time to have the chef make me something else. Nor do I want them to – not ever again. It seems it's time for me to hire a new kitchen staff.I'll make Ralfi do it.The thought amuses me as I leave the dining room behind. Unfortunately, it does nothing for me today. For now, I'll just have to do my patrol at the border hungry.My personal maid is waiting for me in the foyer, my jacket in her hands. Thank the gods at least Yvaine is consistent in her duties. She helps me on with my coat, then I exit the house.Ralfi is already outside, patiently waiting in the Jeep."Good morning, Evander," my Beta says as I climb into the passenger seat."Morning, Ralfi." I gotta be honest, I'm not feeling the "good" part of that sentiment. "I need a new kitchen staff. Hire a new team immediately."If he finds my request unusual in any way, he doesn't show it. He simply nods, acknowledging the directive.As we sit a

Evander’s POV"Where is Aurora?" I can't believe how much that question stings. I can't even look my mother in the eyes. The situation is too raw, too new."Decisions have a price," Aurora said to me more than once over the course of our marriage. I suppose the bill for my recent actions is coming due."Why are you home early?" I ask instead, feigning more concern than I actually feel. I'm sure everything with Tozen is fine. My mother is one of his closest advisors. But then again, with the King of Kings, you never know. "How did the meeting with the Alpha King go?"My mother backhands the question away as if it were of no importance. "Everything went fine. So well in fact, King Tozen no longer needed me at his side. He specifically instructed me to return home to ensure the deal with the Lycan Prince was successfully completed."I can't help but snarl at the mention of the Lycan Prince. That bastard. How dare he insist on taking Aurora with him! Marching right up to her, giving her t

Evander’s POVI blink at my mother, shock robbing me of the ability to speak."Elder Sansom is dead?" I repeat stupidly. The information does not want to compute."Yes," she says gently, seeing the effect this reveal has had on me."Are you sure?""Evander, I was at his funeral."The elder was an imposter? Nalani lied? I sent Aurora away for a lie!?My vision goes red, my teeth elongate. I want to tear and rip and shred. I want to bite and gash…"Evander!"My mother's voice brings me back from the edge of shifting. Still, the rage boils within me and I know my voice is harsh when I say, "Let's go."My mother and lieutenant don't need to ask where. We all pile into the Jeep and Ralfi steers us toward home.No one speaks on the ride and I'm grateful for it. It gives me a chance to channel my hot rage into cold fury.An Alpha must never show emotion.As the calm descends, I'm able to think more rationally. There's a chance Nalani was misled as well. She may not have known Elder Sansom wa