Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Realizations Too Late

Lucian's POV

The night I deliberately avoided returning to the pack house, telling myself it was because of deadlines rather than the emptiness waiting there.

*She'll come back,* I assured myself. *She always does.*

But Fenrir remained agitated, pacing restlessly in my mind. *Our mate is gone. We need to find her.*

Leo appeared at my office door around midday, clutching a thick stack of documents. His normally composed face held a trace of unease that I chose to ignore.

"These require your signature, Alpha," he said, placing the files on my desk. "They're... time-sensitive."

I noticed his hesitation but was distracted by the sudden burning in my stomach-the familiar ulcer pain returning with a vengeance. Without Allison's herbal remedy, the discomfort had been steadily worsening.

"Just leave them," I growled, reaching for the bottle of antacids that no longer provided relief.

Leo lingered, shifting his weight. "Alpha, about these papers-"

The door swung open as Heidi glided in, looking ethereal in a pale blue dress that highlighted her fragile beauty. "Lucian! I thought we could have lunch together."

Leo's expression tightened as he stepped back. "We can discuss the documents later, Alpha."

"No need," I muttered, grabbing the pen. "I'll sign them now."

As I began flipping through pages and adding my signature, Heidi moved to stand beside me, her delicate hand resting on my shoulder. The light floral perfume she wore couldn't mask the medicinal scent beneath-a constant reminder of her illness.

"You work too hard," she murmured, her voice carrying the perfect note of concern.

I continued signing, barely glancing at the contents. Years of business training had taught me to scan documents efficiently, but today my focus was compromised by both pain and distraction.

Leo cleared his throat. "Alpha, perhaps you should review the third file more thor-"

"Is there a problem with these documents?" Heidi interrupted, her blue eyes narrowing slightly at Leo.

My Beta's face remained professional, but I caught the subtle tension in his jaw. "No problem. Just standard procedure to ensure the Alpha reviews all contents carefully."

"I'm sure Lucian knows what he's signing," Heidi responded with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

I finished the last signature and pushed the stack toward Leo, eager to end the awkward tension in the room. "Done."

Leo gathered the papers, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. As he turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of one document-the Storm pack insignia alongside what appeared to be legal letterhead.

As the door closed behind him, Heidi's expression softened. "Is everything alright between you and Allison? I couldn't help noticing she hasn't been around..."

The direct mention of Allison's name sent Fenrir into alert mode, his growl rumbling in my chest. I tamped down the sensation, keeping my face neutral.

"It's nothing," I replied, straightening papers on my desk. "Just a minor disagreement."

Heidi perched on the edge of my desk, her blue eyes wide with practiced concern. "Is it because of me? I would feel terrible if my return has caused problems in your marriage."

"Of course not," I answered automatically. "Allison is just... being emotional. She'll get over it and come back. She always does."

"And if she doesn't?" Heidi asked softly, her fingers lightly brushing my hand.

I pulled away under the pretense of checking my watch. "She will."

"I could talk to her," Heidi offered. "Woman to woman. Explain that we're just old friends."

*Are we?* Fenrir challenged, remembering how she'd pressed against me, how her lips had sought mine.

"That won't be necessary," I stated firmly. "This is between Allison and me."

Heidi tilted her head, golden curls catching the light. "I understand. Now, about lunch? I made reservations at Maison Azure."

I stood, grateful for the change of subject. "Let's go."

The restaurant was exactly what I expected from Heidi's choice-exclusive, elegant, with the kind of refined atmosphere that reminded me of our dating years. Conversation flowed easily as we discussed neutral topics: mutual acquaintances, changes in the city, art exhibits she wanted to see.

After lunch, standing outside the restaurant, Heidi swayed slightly. I steadied her with a hand at her elbow.

"Are you alright?" I asked, genuine concern in my voice.

She smiled weakly. "Just a bit tired. The treatments take so much out of me."

"I'll take you home," I offered immediately.

At her apartment, she lingered at the door. "Won't you stay? We could watch a movie like we used to. I've been so lonely..."

The plea in her eyes was difficult to ignore, but something held me back. "I can't. I have work to finish."

Disappointment flashed across her face before she masked it with understanding. "Of course. Another time, perhaps."

That night, I checked into the downtown penthouse suite I kept for business associates rather than returning to the pack house. The luxurious space felt sterile despite its opulence-no personal touches, no sense of home.

*This is ridiculous,* I thought as I stared at the ceiling. *I'm avoiding my own house because my wife isn't there.*

But the truth was, without Allison, the pack house felt wrong. Empty. I'd never realized how much her presence had transformed the space until she was gone.

By the third evening, I convinced myself enough time had passed. Allison would have cooled down by now. She would be home.

I stopped at a florist and purchased a bouquet of her favorite flowers-pink peonies, not red roses as most would assume. It was a small detail I'd noticed over the years but never acknowledged.

The pack house was dark and silent when I arrived. No lights welcomed me, no delicious aromas greeted me. The absence of these small comforts, which I'd never consciously acknowledged before, now felt glaringly obvious.

I flicked on lights as I moved through the house, calling Allison's name. My voice echoed off the walls, met only with silence. A growing sense of unease prickled along my spine.

I finally checked her study, a room I rarely entered. It was... empty. Completely bare of the books, photographs, and small decorative touches that had once filled it. Only the furniture remained.

A cold dread settled in my stomach as I rushed to our bedroom. Her closet stood open, empty hangers a stark testament to her absence. The dresser drawers that had held her things were bare.

The only items that remained were the designer clothes and jewelry I'd gifted her over the years-all with price tags still attached, neatly arranged on the bed. Had she never worn any of them?

And there, on my nightstand, lay her wedding ring. The platinum band I'd placed on her finger two years ago now sat cold and abandoned beside the lamp.

In all our fights, all the times I'd been cold or dismissive, she had never once removed that ring. Not once.

Something unfamiliar and terrifying clutched at my chest. Fenrir howled in distress, sensing what I was just beginning to understand.

*Something's wrong,* he whined, pacing anxiously within our shared consciousness.

Was Allison truly serious about divorcing me? The thought struck me with unexpected force. I had assumed her threat was merely an emotional outburst-the kind of dramatic declaration women made during arguments.

But if she wasn't coming home...

I sank onto the edge of the bed, the wedding ring cold in my palm. For the first time in years, I felt something like fear trickling through me. Not the calculated concern of risk assessment I employed in business, but genuine, gut-wrenching fear.

*We've lost our mate,* Fenrir moaned.

And this time, I didn't correct him.