Lorien POV

“Auren, you’re home!”

The statuesque blonde’s voice rang out as she forced a too-bright smile onto her face, her sharp eyes locked on us. The first warning bell came from the way she used his name so casually Auren like it belonged to her alone. The second was even clearer: the way her smile faltered, hardening into something territorial, her gaze narrowing at me as if I were an intruder.

Auren didn’t acknowledge her at first. He turned his back on her, remaining between ...