Bracing for the inevitable

Lucian's POV - I was going through the paperwork to catch up on the business and keep myself distracted. My chest was hurting, which was expected. My wolf had been distressed ever since Alice left. He did not understand the human side of my emotions and complications. "Come in," I said automatically on hearing the knock. "I brought your dinner, you didn't have your lunch, Alpha," Katherine said, laying down the tray. "I am not hungry," I replied, reading the same line of the document for the third time. "This will not do, Lucian. I know you are missing your mate. That does not mean you start ignoring the food. I might be a lone wolf, and not know much about mates, but I know that, by staying hungry, your mate's not going to come back." Katherine shoved the plate of pasta at me. I smiled and took it from her. She had been like a second mother to me ever since my own was unable to take care of me. She was the one who alerted me about the poison all those years ago and saved my life. I sh