Chapter 140

Victoria's POV Grace and I continued our shopping spree, bags swinging from our arms as we moved from boutique to boutique. After hours of retail therapy, exhaustion finally caught up with us, and we settled into a cozy Italian restaurant downtown. The rich aroma of garlic and herbs filled the air as we claimed a corner table away from prying eyes. I had just taken my first bite of creamy fettuccine when my phone vibrated. William's name flashed across the screen. "Victoria, are you coming home for dinner tonight?" His deep voice carried that familiar warmth that always made my wolf Nora stir contentedly within me. I knew Patrick Wagner was at William's estate. The promising young Alpha from the neighboring territory had been making regular appearances lately—William's not-so-subtle attempt at playing Cupid. "Sorry, William," I replied, twirling pasta around my fork. "I'm already having dinner with Grace. We got caught up shopping downtown." Worried he might think I was avoiding his di