CLARABEL'S POV

Malakai’s face was trapped in my mind.

The way the blood had drained from his features at the mention of a name. I had seen him receive reports of border skirmishes and assassination plots with nothing more than a twitch of his jaw. But Talia—the name had hit him like a physical blow. It wasn't just shock; it was a dark tension that was close to dread.

Who was she… to shake him like that?

A soft knock at the door broke my spiraling thoughts. Two of the younger maidens, Elara and Miri, slipped inside. They were among the few in the Pack I actually trusted—girls who had...