Deric The road blurred past the tinted windows as I sat stiffly in the backseat of the black SUV, my thoughts moving far faster than the car. I have a meeting with Jaxon in less than an hour, one I couldn’t afford to miss, but my phone buzzed again and again. I yanked my phone out of the pocket to see the name: Dad’s hospital. My hand clenched around the device before I answered. “Dr. Lim,” I said, voice flat, trying to brace myself. “There’s been a change, Alpha Deric,” she said gently, her voice pinched with exhaustion. “Your father’s vitals dropped earlier this morning. We stabilized him, but… we really need your presence. There are decisions that need to be made. Soon.” I pressed my fingers to my temple. “I’m in the middle of something. I’ll try to be there this evening.” A pause