Chapter 4

Lucian's POV

I didn't want Camille to ruin Lara's mood while she was prepping for her concert.

To make it up to her, I canceled all my meetings and took her to almost every high-end music shop in the city.

But every time a salesperson brought out a rare, million-dollar violin for her to try, her long fingers would just brush the strings weakly before she'd let out a sigh.

"Lucian, none of them are Midnight Galaxy... I can't connect with the soul of these instruments."

Then she'd lean her head on my shoulder and cry, her body feeling as light as a leaf.

I frowned. This was all Camille's fault—making a simple thing so complicated.

But an idea hit me, and I pulled Lara close to comfort her.

"There's an auction next week. I wasn't planning on going, but I heard the world-famous 'Moon Goddess's Tears' violin is on the list. I'll buy it for you."

"Are you serious, Lucian? Oh, that's amazing! You're the kindest alpha ever. I really don't get why Camille has to act like such a psycho."

She jumped up, wrapped her arms around my neck, and planted a kiss on my cheek.

Rowan covered his eyes, pretending to be grossed out.

"Ugh! You guys are so mushy! Get a room! I'm just a kid!"

After dropping Lara back at the hospital to rest, I drove Rowan back to the villa at sunset.

When I pushed open the front door, we were met with total darkness. It felt like something was missing, and the feeling irritated me.

Rowan gripped my hand tighter.

"Daddy, is Mommy... still not home? She's always here with dinner ready."

Rowan has always been a nightmare of a picky eater.

For five years, Camille never let the servants touch his food; she made every dinner and late-night snack herself just to cater to him.

I yanked at my tie, annoyed. This damn she-wolf—she was really going to ignore her own cub now?

I walked into the kitchen. The table was bare, and there wasn't a servant in sight.

This never would have happened before.

Camille had always been a dutiful mate; she even handled all the luna business perfectly.

Thinking about her cold face at the music shop earlier, my lips thinned into a hard line.

"Fine. If she thinks she can threaten me like this, she's overestimating herself."

In the Aurora Shadows pack, the alpha's authority was absolute.

"Forget her," I said coldly. "I'm taking you out to eat."

Rowan immediately started jumping for joy. "Sweet! Daddy, should we call Lara? That French place she took me to was so cool! I can get that crème brûlée I love!"

Just as I turned to leave, my stomach flared with a sharp pain.

I'd been running myself ragged lately prepping for the annual alpha summit. I hadn't had a real meal in days.

My appetite was shot, and the thought of fancy French food made me want to gag.

Suddenly, I found myself craving Camille's homemade creamy lamb and mushroom soup.

One year for my birthday, Camille spent the whole day in the kitchen baking my favorite cheesecake from scratch.

Under the flickering candlelight, she had submissively tilted her head to show her white neck, her eyes full of nothing but pure adoration.

That was the warmest night we ever had. That was the night I marked her.

But now, this once-submissive female dared to publicly defy my will.

"Daddy?" Rowan pulled at my sleeve, impatient.

"What's wrong? I'm starving. Since Mommy's not here, I'm gonna eat way more crème brûlée. She always controls me and won't let me have sweets!"

I frowned. Rowan was born premature and has always been frail. The witch doctor told us years ago that he needs a strictly balanced diet, or he might not be able to shift in a few years.

A male wolf who can't shift isn't fit to inherit my territory.

On that point, I actually agreed with Camille's strict rules.

I was about to explain this to Rowan when my link-stone flashed red. Lara's weak voice came through.

"Lucian? Are you back at the territory?"

"Yeah," I said, my voice softening instinctively.

"Has Camille... come home yet?" she asked tentatively.

"Not yet. Why?" I felt my brow furrow.

"I think I just saw her at a restaurant downtown. She was sitting by the window with a handsome, charming guy. He looked strong... wild. They looked, well... very close."

Lara paused, her tone sounding even more awkward.

"Is she really that mad about what happened today? Oh, Goddess... please don't blame her. Should I go over there and help you guys explain things?"

My gaze turned murderous. My suppressed aura leaked out for a split second, making Rowan shiver beside me.

Camille wasn't coming home to do her job because she was out on a date? Who the hell did she think she was?

"Give me the address," I said, my voice like a block of ice.

Until I officially signed those damn severance papers, she still belonged to me.

And I don't let other werewolves get their scent on my things.