Chapter 95

I sat at my desk, staring at the papers in front of me. Maria’s words stuck in my mind. She didn’t sugarcoat anything. The pack didn’t trust me. They thought I was like my father. It made sense now why everything felt off since I returned. They expected justice, and I let them down.

The door opened without a knock. Only one person walked in like that.

“Mother,” I said, keeping my voice even. Just the sight of her made me nauseous. She’d been cooked up on the south wing of the pack house away from prying eyes. She loved her privacy, she was a silent woman who barely said a word. Emotionless like a robot.

She stepped inside, calm as ever.

“You’ve forgotten basic discipline, Lucas,” she said. “An open door invites trouble.”