"M-my apologies, Luna," came the maid's nervous voice from behind the door. "But… Lady Emerald is here. She says she must speak with Alpha Rick. It's urgent."
The room fell into an uneasy silence, as if a spell had been cast, momentarily freezing time. Alia exchanged glances with Rick, the anger in her eyes reflecting the turmoil she was feeling inside.
"What do you mean Emerald is here?" Alia's voice cracked as she finally broke the silence.
The maid flinched. "She's waiting in the study for Alpha Rick."
"Tell her to leave!" Alia snapped, turning to face Rick. "She's not welcome he…" Her sentence hung in her throat as she saw that Rick was already up, grabbing his shirt and heading for the door
"Stay here," he said in a tight voice.
Alia's mouth hung open for a second. "You're not seriously going to meet her, are you?"
"I am." His voice was flat, resolved.
Alia's face crumpled. "Rick, please—don't leave me. Not for her. Not after everything."
