Arlene's POV
Niall practically purrs with satisfaction over the meal Warner prepared for us tonight. She keeps nudging me to shower him with compliments, as if his already massive ego needs any more feeding. I suppress an eye roll while Annabella clears our empty plates. The food sits heavy and warm in my stomach, a comfortable fullness that makes me want to sink deeper into my chair.
The entire evening has been perfect, each dish more incredible than the last. Yet despite the wonderful atmosphere, my mind keeps circling back to the conversation we had earlier. The reality of Warner taking Nicholson away for extended periods still feels surreal.
The twins have always been different from each other, but I never imagined a day would come when their paths would diverge so drastically. I understood their destinies would be separate, but I never truly grasped how heavy that weight would become. Being a werewolf leader carries burdens that regular jobs simply cannot compare to.
