Tonia's POV
"Apologies, lady, but I'm assigned to collect a specific individual. I cannot offer transportation if that's your request."
I barely suppressed my amusement listening to Tucker, among my father's most veteran sentries, speak while his gaze swept beyond me, searching for his designated airport pickup.
"Understood. You've come for Tonia Alexa, correct? I am she, Tucker."
Doubt clouded his features. "You haven't explained your knowledge of my identity. Besides... how could you possibly be Tonia? Inconceivable." His head moved in denial. "Tonia appears—"
"Grotesque?" I completed his thought, beaming.
His expression soured as he refused again. Previously, Tucker stood among the sole individuals unable to label me hideous. He remained within the select few who valued my sensibilities, and presently, even addressing a stranger, that harsh term wouldn't cross his lips.
I chuckled. "Perhaps it would assist if I mentioned your preferred dish was butternut squash soup, and you frequently played board games with young Tonia?"
Understanding illuminated his features. Amazement slackened his jaw.
"Great Spirits preserve us! Tonia, you're genuine!" His arms extended, and I eagerly accepted his heartfelt embrace.
During those days, Tucker and I shared minimal moments, yet he consistently made our brief encounters precious. He represented my nearest parental figure.
"How can this be real?" he questioned after inquiring about my wellbeing. "Your appearance... Merciful heavens! You're absolutely radiant! Merely five years absent and... this defies comprehension."
"The tale grows complex, Tucker. Presently, let's simply acknowledge fortune finally favored me."
"Ah, Tonia! My joy seeing you exceeds description. Surely your father will celebrate discovering you're no longer... un-lovely." His careful word selection amused me.
Regarding my father, internal eye-rolling commenced. Bitterness touched me about this forced homecoming after half a decade due to his demands. Eldoria had provided the perfect existence.
"Allow me to transport this to the vehicle," Tucker offered, grasping my baggage.
"Proceed, and I'll join you momentarily. Additional luggage requires collection. Fear not, I'll move swiftly."
I pivoted to depart when Tucker announced, "Something fell from you."
Downward inspection revealed the medical scan on the ground. Panic seized my throat as I hastily retrieved it.
Tucker observed with bewilderment. Clearly, he'd glimpsed the ultrasound imagery and questioned why such material occupied my rear pocket.
Tonia, couldn't you exercise greater caution?
"That belongs to someone else," I stammered, praying my deception sounded credible. Honestly, who transports fetal ultrasound pictures in their clothing?
Returning it to concealment, I departed rapidly.
Arms folded defensively, I positioned myself at the baggage area. My remaining luggage would materialize momentarily.
During idle waiting, troublesome contemplations invaded my thoughts. Father summoned me home for dual purposes.
Initially, to permanently dissolve connections with Sterling.
Within our society, mating wolves bound ceremonial fabric symbolizing their partnership, preserving it within sacred grounds. Separation required dual procedures. Initially, verbal mate rejection, followed by jointly severing the binding material.
Following Sterling's rejection, we never encountered each other subsequently.
Life events created distance between us. Currently, his desperation drove completion of concluding rituals.
Seemingly, he'd selected another mate yet couldn't accept her while partially connected to me.
I'd anticipated the moment I could conclude matters with that worthless individual. He embodied my history, and that meaningless fabric represented our final connection.
"Pardon me, miss. Might I request your attention briefly?" someone announced behind me.
Turning revealed a powerfully built individual wearing dark formal attire and tinted eyewear. His security role was obvious.
"What assistance do you require?" I questioned, eyebrows raised.
"Actually, the Alpha there wishes to speak with you."
I glanced toward his indication—a compact drinking establishment—yet couldn't identify his reference. The person remained concealed behind furnishings.
I suppressed irritation. Recently, this pattern exhausted me. Clearly, public appearances would consistently attract masculine interest.
"Time constraints prevent this. Convey my regrets," I replied.
The guard's expression hardened. "Refusal isn't acceptable." His unspoken message was clear: He holds significant Alpha authority. Dismissing his summons isn't permissible.
Yet meeting anyone held zero appeal. "My apologies remain genuine."
I diverted attention. Ignoring Alpha requests constituted disrespect. Within rank-obsessed society, he might possess considerable influence and impose severe consequences, though conversation wasn't my current desire.
"Alpha Sterling from Gloomfang requests this," the guard supplemented as enticement. Unknown to him, he'd just torn open healed wounds.
My attention snapped toward him, then darted to the establishment where the figure waited. Sterling? My former mate Sterling? The individual I'd returned to finalize matters with? Impossible.
Chest constriction brought agony, requiring tremendous effort maintaining emotional control.
"That provides greater reason for avoidance," I muttered, turning aside.
"Your words weren't clear?"
"I refuse the meeting," I declared firmly, fingernails pressing into my palms.
The guard's disapproving glare preceded his departure, allowing my trembling exhalation.
Where was my delayed luggage?
I located a staff member requesting updates, receiving assurance of imminent arrival.
Regrettably, efficiency proved insufficient as Sterling soon advanced toward me.