Chapter 48

　　Lucas’ heart was racing as he and Dane ran through the packhouse doors. He noticed Dane had stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned to face him.

　　“Uh, I’ll let you deal with things,” said Dane, “but could you mind-link me when you’ve seen her, just so I know she’s ok? I’d appreciate it.”

　　Lucas nodded and took off back up the stairs. It was difficult for Dane to resist the urge to check on Cara, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

　　Lucas burst through the door to their private lounge room and Rani scurried out, head lowered and avoiding eye contact with him.

　　Cara stood from the couch, and he took a good look at her. She’d tried to tell him something earlier that morning and he’d dismissed her, focused only on the Alpha King’s letter.

　　Now that he’d stopped and was truly looking at her, he was shocked by what he saw. Her face was pale and her eyes were red-rimmed and sunken with dark circles. Her usually immaculate long brown hair hung limp around her face.