Third Person POV:
As Silas made his way back toward the pack, the weight of what he had done and what still needed to be done pressed heavily upon him.
Silas moved along the narrow path with steady steps, but his thoughts did not settle.
The witch’s words lingered like smoke in his lungs. He was grateful that the witch had remained several steps ahead of him. If sothing had truly begun to awaken within Selena, it would need to be smothered quietly.
The herbs would do their work. Slowly. Imperceptibly.
But before then, much still needed to be arranged.
By the ti he crossed back into pack territory, night had already stretched fully across the sky. Torches burned steadily along the outer walls of the palace. Guards straightened as he approached, but none questioned where he had been. They rarely did.
Silas returned to his chambers to find Loretta waiting for him.
She stood near the window, the curtain slightly parted, moonlight catching softly in her blonde hair. She turned the mont the door opened.
"There you are," she said softly.
Silas’ expression hardened instantly. "What are you doing here?"
She frowned faintly. "I have been looking for you."
"You should not be in my chambers."
Her brows lifted slightly. "No one saw ."
"That is not the point."
He removed his gloves slowly, setting them on the table without looking at her. "If Selena sees you leaving this room, or worse, if those rogues see it, speculation will spread before dawn."
Loretta crossed her arms. "I was careful."
"Careful is not invisible."
She studied him more closely now. "Where were you?"
"That does not concern you."
Her lips pressed together briefly, but she did not push further. She had learned when not to.
"I have sothing I need you to do," he said instead.
That caught her attention.
"What is it?"
"I want you to keep your eyes on the triplets."
Her expression sharpened. "In what way?"
"I want to know where they go. Who they speak with. Which warriors they linger near. If they are attempting to build favor within the pack. I suspect Selena has so connection with those rogues. If that is true, I could use it as evidence to present to the elders against her."
Loretta tilted her head slightly. "You think they are planning sothing."
"I think rogues do not attach themselves to territory without motive."
"And if their motive is not territory," she asked carefully, "then what?"
His gaze flicked toward her. "Explain."
She smiled faintly. "What if they simply like her?"
The suggestion hung quietly between them.
"Yes," he said after a mont. "I suspect that is possible."
Loretta stared at him for a mont before laughing softly.
"You are serious."
"I do not waste speculation."
She moved closer, amusent still lingering in her eyes. "They may be rogues, but I do not see them falling for soone like Selena."
His expression did not change.
"She has always been... unremarkable," Loretta continued after searching briefly for the word. "They may pity her or wish to protect her. But those n are far too adventurous to suddenly lose themselves over a girl the pack barely noticed before she disappeared."
Her tone carried more venom than logic.
Silas considered her words.
Selena had been overlooked once. That was true.
But she had not been overlooked when she walked back through the gates.
"She is not the sa as she was," he said quietly.
Loretta’s smile faltered slightly. "You are not truly worried."
"I am cautious."
She stepped closer still, lowering her voice. "You sound insecure."
His eyes sharpened dangerously. "Be careful."
She did not retreat, but her tone shifted. "If you want certainty, then stop circling and claim her."
His silence invited elaboration.
"Be intimate with her," Loretta said plainly. "The Selena I rember would not refuse you. If she still desires you, then all this tension ans nothing. The rogues will beco irrelevant."
"And if she refuses?"
Loretta’s eyes glead faintly. "Then you will have your answer."
Silas studied her carefully.
"Do you think she would refuse?"
"I think," Loretta said slowly, "that she would not dare refuse you. She loves you too much. And if anything, she may be testing you. She may have hired those rogues to make you jealous. You and I both know there is no way she is capable of charming a man, let alone three strong, handso n."
The thought settled uncomfortably beneath his composure.
He replayed the corridor scene in his mind. The way Selena had stepped aside. The way the triplets had watched him.
"If she turns you away," Loretta continued, "then it is possible your fears may be valid."
Silas moved toward the window, looking out over the darkened courtyard.
An intimacy test.
It would asure not only her desire.
It would asure her loyalty.
"And if she accepts," Loretta asked softly, stepping behind him, "will that quiet your suspicion?"
"It will clarify it."
She studied the rigid line of his shoulders. "Then do it soon. Tonight, if possible."
He nodded once.
"I will. But you must keep your end of the bargain."
Loretta smiled faintly.
"Keep watch on the rogues," he added without turning. "You know the kind of influence you have. I need you to seduce them, or at least beco their confidant. I need their loyalty to be mine, even if only indirectly."
"And if I discover the price of their loyalty?"
"I want it."
She inclined her head. "As you wish."
He turned then, finally eting her eyes fully.
"And do not underestimate Selena. Sothing has changed within her. She just needs to discover what it is," he said quietly.
For the first ti that night, Loretta’s confidence wavered.
"I will not," she replied.
But he was not certain she believed it.
When she slipped from his chambers monts later, careful and unseen, Silas remained at the window.
If Selena accepted him, then, he indeed has not to fear.
If she refused, then the situation was far more volatile than he had anticipated.
Either way, he would know.
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