章 32: THE NIGHTSHADE'S VERSION

ALBERT'S POV

The bell above the diner door jingled as I pushed it open, the sound sharp and almost foreboding. The familiar aroma of coffee and fried food hit me immediately, but it didn't do much to ease the knot of tension coiled in my stomach. I scanned the room, my eyes darting toward the counter, hoping to see the face I hadn't seen in years. 

Instead, a young server looked up, her polite smile not quite reaching her eyes. "The Alpha isn't here right now," she said, wiping her hands on her apron. "You'll have to wait a while." 

Her words hit me harder than I'd expected. I nodded tightly, swallowing the lump that had suddenly formed in my throat. "Alright," I muttered, turning back to Ashley and Nora, who stood a few steps behind me. 

"Let's get something to eat," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "We'll talk to him later."