CLARABEL’S POV

“THE ALPHA IS AWAKE!!”

The news came down from the upper grid just after dawn.

The moment the words left the servant’s mouth, a wave of relief flooded my chest, catching me completely off guard. My heart lifted, the heavy knot that had been sitting in my stomach for four long days loosening all at once. 

But the feeling lasted for only a fraction of a second before a cold, biting wave of self-preservation rushed in to take its place. I instantly became deeply annoyed with myself for caring so much. I tightened my jaw, deliberately forcing the relief down into the dark. 

^^Why are you happy for...