Selena hurriedly wiped the tears from her cheeks.Feigning ignorance of his approach,she ignited the engine and drove swiftly out of the den’s grounds.
After a tense drive,Selena arrived at the Dark Moon Conglomerate tower,calm and cloaked in composure.She never allowed personal pain to compromise her duty to the pack.This time,she focused her entire formidable will on her work.
Selena reviewed Kian’s secure communication.Then,she finalized the tactical file and transmitted it to his private data nexus.It was moments before Kian transmitted his acknowledgment.
Kian:
$$Approved.Maintain constant surveillance on this initiative.$$
As always,his replies were brief and devoid of warmth.
Selena:
$$Acknowledged.$$
After sending her reply,Selena began assigning the necessary tasks to her Beta team.
The hours bled swiftly into the afternoon.Selena was preparing to leave the Alpha Tower when she received a direct link from Kian.
$$Return to the den without me.I have separate obligations this evening.$$
Selena’s lips pressed into a thin line.His words were sharp claws raking her spirit.With deliberate,trembling control,she transmitted her reply.
$$Understood.$$
Selena was once afforded the respect of a high-ranking female within the Volkov bloodline.Kian would always inform her of his critical meetings or alliances with other dominant Packs.Now,he simply referred to his movements as“separate obligations.”
Of course,Selena knew exactly what and who these separate obligations concerned.Lyra.
Kian:
$$I neglected to inform you earlier,but I retrieved a customary tribute for you during the dominance trip.It is in my travel case.You may claim it when you return.$$
Selena typed a final reply.
$$Received.$$
Kian frowned at the terse acknowledgment.He felt a rare,unexpected spike of agitation.He leaned back in his high-backed chair,closed his eyes,and pressed his powerful fingers against his temples.
Lance,Kian’s Beta aide,knocked on the heavy timber door.“Excuse me,Alpha.Lyra has been escorted to the inner sanctum,”he announced,entering the office.
Meanwhile,Selena was striding toward the lift when she noticed the lower ranks of the Pack Nexus operatives murmuring and casting quick glances.
“Did you catch the female who was ushered to the Alpha’s sanctum?Was that his claimed Mate?Moon Goddess,she possesses magnificent breeding lines.”