Lucien closed his rucksack halfway and sighed. "Can you both leave already so I can finish packing properly?"
They both stopped. Zuri tilted her head, studying his face. "Why do you look unhappy?"
He did not answer.
She leaned forward slightly. "Is it because you are leaving your mate behind?"
Lucien paused. He dropped the last shirt into the rucksack, zipped it, then dropped it on the floor. Then he spoke quietly. "It is more than that."
Zephyrion moved closer. "How have things been with your mate?"
Lucien ran a hand through his hair. "Chaotic. All Aveloria has been dealing with are wanderers trying to cause trouble. Council meetings. Attacks on the borders. Suspicious death in a pack. Plots within the court. Training. Strategies. We've barely had time to bond as mates. Every time we are together, something comes up, and she has to leave."
He stopped to look at Zuri, then at Zephyrion. "But that's not what's bothering me."
