CHAPTER 17

  Lucien:

  Here? Now? They just had to come now, and ruin this precious moment I was having with my lovely mate. She had just revealed to me that she was ready to begin the process of accepting herself when of course my bad luck had to click into place and Greg had to arrive. I don't blame

  him though, or Tania. I can only hope they'll act civil around Lucinda and me.

  I nodded to Conner, who stood awkwardly by the door. "Tell them we'll be down shortly."

  Conner bobbed his head as if his life depended on it, his cheeks painted a deep shade of red as he scrambled to leave the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

  I squeezed Raleigh's thin arms gently and she twitched, meaning she knew I was talking to her. "Are you ready to meet Greg and Tania?" I asked, only hesitating slightly to say Tania's name. It had been a long time since I had seen Tania, and while I still looked like I was twenty, Tania probably looked nowhere near twenty anymore.