The grand doors of her throne room swung wide open with a groan as Aria stepped inside. Her leather boots clicked loudly against the polished marble floors; the sound echoed through the entire room.

Her mate, Lucien, sat on his throne, his posture composed as his eyes darted from the cluster of elders in front of him to the door. The air in the throne room grew still and the voices of the elders hushed the moment they all noticed Aria walking in.

Seemingly in perfect unison, each one of the elders froze. Their backs straightened as a flicker of raw emotion passed through their faces. Without missing a beat,...