|Theodore| As much as I wanted to ride out that same day and head straight for the Eastern Territory, I couldn’t. The timing was wrong, and no matter how impatient I felt—how desperate I was to chase every lead that might bring me closer to understanding Carmella’s condition—responsibility came first. With important guests arriving in our territory in the next two weeks, Killian had requested my help. He asked that I stay and assist with preparations and welcoming the visitors. Given that he was already doing me a huge favor by temporarily stepping into my role as Alpha, how could I refuse? More than that, one of the names among our guests gave me pause—The Montague Pack. Their visit was more than just political pleasantries; they carried weight in our world. Influence. Power. And perha