Lucas entered the dining hall just as the sun dipped low outside, casting a warm orange glow through the windows. As expected, his father and Alpha Gregory were seated at the center table, Aurelia beside her father. She looked less tense than earlier, though her posture was still prim and polite.
“Lucas,” Marcus greeted with a scrutinizing glance.
“Evening,” Lucas said easily, setting down his plate of roasted chicken and vegetables before sliding into the chair beside Aurelia. She blinked, clearly surprised to have him sitting next to her for the second time that day.
“Did you have a good afternoon?” he asked, his tone warm and conversational.
Aurelia glanced at her father, then back at Lucas. “Yes. Dad and I took a tour of your training facilities.”
“Ah, so you’ve met some of our wa
