Diane’s POV.
Aubrey returned home in high spirits. She was all giddy and wouldn’t stop talking about how the ceremony went. She had said disappointedly that her brother had sent her home earlier to get to bed on time.
“I don’t need to get in bed now.” She huffed, then yawned after.
I gave her a pointed look and then escorted her to her room to tuck her into bed. I sat at the edge of her bed for a few minutes watching her sleep before I left for the room I stayed in. I felt content with life at the moment but I knew this wasn’t reality.
I had just closed her door when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned in time to see Alpha Ryan walking into the corridor. Our eyes locked and we both froze in place, staring across at each other.
The air became thicker and the space seemed smaller. He
