DESDEMONA

I remained frozen beneath the old oak tree, unable to look away from Alpha Alaric. He stood a few steps away from us, his expression unreadable, his golden eyes fixed on mine. I couldn't tell how long he had been listening, but from the way his jaw tightened, I knew he had heard enough.

Garrick slowly lowered his head, suddenly very interested in the sword resting across his knees.

"Leave us," Alaric said.

Garrick immediately stood.

He didn't argue. He didn't even look at me before walking away, leaving me alone with the man whose childhood I had just spent the last hour uncovering.

I swallowed and lowered my...