—•LUCIA•—

“Lucia! How many times have I warned you not to wander into the woods alone?” my father, the Alpha King, thundered.

His voice echoed through the throne room, rattling the walls.

I flinched but lifted my chin, forcing my voice steady. “Father, it was just a short run. Nothing happened.”

“Nothing happened?” he roared. “Goddess, Lucia, the woods are full of rogues! What if one of them had attacked you?” His fist slammed against the arm of his throne.

“Your father is right,” my mother added, her voice tight with worry. “The woods are dangerous.”

I bit back my frustration. “Sorry, Father. It won’t happen again.”

The words came...