an's

through unfamiliar curtains. For a moment, I was diso

i called, sobbing that she was having another

with a diagnosis that left me speechless: Lunar D

cations can only slow the progression. Most c

father's orders. I know she spiraled after

e up for it ever since.

gile, vulnerable-clinging to m

touches became lingering, purposeful. Her whispered "

of Allison's face had flashed through my mind-h

tly extracted myself from Heidi's embrac

voice called through the d

curls perfectly styled despite the early hour. The table was set with fresh

much trouble," I said, taking a

r ice-blue eyes warming as she watched me expectantl

y, the eggs overcooked. I managed a polite smile and ate a few m

?" Heidi asked, her

"I'm just not very hungry this m

ctly poached eggs with hollandaise sauce that had just the right balance o

er medication, I left for the offic

testament to generations of business acumen. As Alpha, I managed both

rode through the building, pack members respectfull

onference calls. By noon, my stomach was growl

e's," he announced, setting

ne bite, and I knew something wasn't right. The flavor profile was compl

here's something wrong with Leone's toda

antly, his expression carefully neutral. "

way. "It tastes differen

y. "Leone's hasn't chang

unch tastes nothing li

hat you usually eat doesn't come from Leone's." He hesitated, then continue

momentarily spe

at you preferred Leone's bolognese to the one served at a pack dinner, she spent weeks perfecting her recipe unt

this arrangement?" My voice

eo met my gaze steadily. "She said you wou

e. *Our mate has been caring

I snapped back interna

of my hand. I tried another bite of the authentic Leone's pasta, but it taste

ed it as long as possible, but soon the sharp, twisting agony had me do

ation," I growle

ith pharmacy bags. "Alpha, I've bought every

." I snatched the bags

ng to ease the burning in my gut. With a roar of frustration, I swept

ching my stomach as another wave o

rhaps you could try the herbal remed

g three times daily for the past year, ever since my ul

e," I ordered thro

on's special blend and she's the only one who knows the exact

g I'd taken for granted, another way she'd

," I orde

been trying, Alpha.

f. It rang until voicemail picked up. I tried agai

d the physical pain. Was this... panic? The real

myself aloud. "She'll com

the back of my mind. *We've pus

ugh with less conviction. *And she'll