Chapter 75

Ravenwood had continued functioning perfectly well in Arianna's absence, which was simultaneously reassuring and slightly deflating.

"Did you miss me at all?" she asked Thomas only half-jokingly as he updated her on the past week's events.

"Terribly. We had no one to make difficult decisions, so we just resolved everything through reasoned discussion and compromise." His tone was dry. "It was horrible. Please never leave again."

"You're saying I'm not essential to daily operations."

"I'm saying we have competent systems and good people who can handle routine matters without constant Alpha oversight." Thomas gestured to the minimal stack of papers requiring her attention. "Which is what successful governance...