Ethan POV

Lenore sits beside me at the welcome banquet.

Too close. Deliberately so.

"You used to love my roasted meat." Her voice carries across the table. Warm. Nostalgic. "Remember? I'd make it special just for you."

The pack members nearby smile. Charmed by the story.

I nod briefly. Minimally. Because refusing to acknowledge her would be rude. Would create the diplomatic incident Laf warned me about.

But my eyes keep finding Grace across ...