"Is the Sharp family not attending dinner? I was under the impression they were residing here for the time being."

"Sidney and Evelyn Sharp are in mourning," Dad grunted; his voice laced with sympathy. "Their son recently passed."

"Is that so?" Nelson's eyes widened in false surprise; his voice laced with the emotion. He was an expert alright, yet I could still see the curiosity in his gaze. "And how did that happen in a house with the Alpha King?"

"He took his own life." I pressed my lips together tightly, letting my voice crack on the last word. I averted my eyes, looking down at my half-eaten plate of...