Lucius's POV
As soon as we arrived home, I retreated to my study and called Viya. The phone rang several times before she answered.
"What do you want, Lucius?" Her voice was cold, distant—nothing like the warm, gentle tone I was accustomed to.
"Where are you?" I demanded, Alpha authority bleeding into my voice.
"Out." The single word response was infuriating in its simplicity.
"I want to discuss your behavior tonight," I said, fighting to keep my tone level. "You embarrassed me in front of my colleagues."
Her laugh was sharp. "That's rich coming from you. How exactly did I embarrass you? Is it because I didn't tell you beforehand it was a clinic dinner? Or by not pretending I was invisible while you fawned over your mistress?"
The word "mistress" hit like a slap. "Wa
