(Third Person POV).
redith sat on the edge of her bed, her hands resting motionlessly on her lap, eyes glazed over with thoughts she couldn’t untangle.
Then the entrance door to her room creaked slightly, and Kira entered with light footsteps, her arms cradling a fresh set of linens.
The rustle of fabric pulled redith from her daze. Her eyes blinked slowly, and then she turned toward Kira, her voice hoarse and barely above a whisper.
"Has the child woken up?"
Kira’s brows lifted slightly in surprise, but she nodded at once. "Yes, my lady. She has."
redith stood slowly from the bed, her posture still stiff with unspoken weight. "Take to her."
Kira set the linens carefully on the small center table, still a little surprised. "Yes, my lady."
She hadn’t expected her mistress, who was still raw from everything—to ask after Xamira. .
From the open doorway to the patio, Deidra stepped in, her hands still stained with fresh soil from the small clay pot she had been arranging with peonies. "I will co with you," she said without hesitation.
A mont later, Azul stepped out from the walk-in closet, her expression alert. "Can I co too?"
redith shook her head gently. "No. Kira and Deidra will accompany ."
Azul lowered her gaze, but nodded. "Alright, my lady."
A minute later, the trio left the room in silence.
As they turned the hallway toward the second floor, they arrived just in ti to see Wanda closing the pink door to Xamira’s room.
redith let out a long breath, but didn’t slow her steps.
Wanda turned—and the second her eyes landed on them, her expression twisted with displeasure. She scanned the three of them before her gaze narrowed in on redith.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, voice cool, laced with venom.
redith stopped a few feet away from her, chin lifting slightly. "I ca to see Xamira."
Wanda’s eyes flashed. "And who said you could co up here?"
redith ignored the question. "I just want to know how she’s doing."
Wanda laughed once—sharp, unkind. "What do you think, after you almost killed her?"
Kira’s shoulders tensed visibly. Deidra’s eyes darkened, lips pressing into a thin line. But neither spoke. They could only stand beside their mistress, bearing silent witnesses to Wanda’s cruelty.
"It was a mistake," redith answered calmly, her tone controlled, but firm.
"A mistake?" Wanda scoffed. "And you want to believe that?"
redith’s fists clenched at her sides. Her jaw tightened, but she didn’t look away no matter how vexed she was.
"I want to see Xamira," she said flatly.
Wanda folded her arms. "You can’t. The Alpha said no visitors. Only the nurse and the doctor are allowed in." Her eyes sparkled with smug triumph. "So go back to the ground floor."
Kira inhaled sharply, lips parting as if to protest. Deidra’s foot shifted forward slightly. But redith reached out and caught their arms, gently holding them back.
Then she looked at Wanda one more ti. "I will respect the Alpha’s orders. I will co back after I have gotten his permission."
Without another word, she turned and walked away, the soft padding of her slippers echoing against the quiet walls.
Kira and Deidra followed, their expressions stormy. Their hearts were no longer torn between loyalty and service. Not after this.
They now know whom to protect with their lives.
---
~*Draven*~
The conference room on the top floor of Duskmoor’s city hall was as polished as I rembered—walls panelled in dark wood, thick glass windows letting in the late morning light, and a long tal-trimd table that reflected every breath of movent.
Mayor Brackham stood as I entered, smoothing a palm over his tailored suit. "Alpha Draven. Welco."
"Mayor," I returned with a nod, stepping forward to shake his hand. Firm. Dry. A politician’s grip.
We both sat.
He offered a tight smile. "I trust your arrival in the city was smooth?"
"It was," I replied evenly. I didn’t waste ti with polite detours and went straight for the agenda of our eting today.
"...Two of my people were found dead. Their chests were ripped open, their hearts missing. One of them was only twenty. Their deaths occurred on Duskmoor’s land. I believe your office owes more than acknowledgnt."
Brackham’s smile faltered, then his throat bobbed. "You are right," he said after a pause. "I’m deeply sorry for your loss. Please know that I speak on behalf of the assembly when I say—we don’t take this lightly."
I said nothing, watching him over steepled fingers.
"There have been... similar cases," Brackham continued. "Human victims. Not many, but enough. All found in the last month. Major organs missing. We have launched a full investigation into it."
I leaned back slightly, still holding his gaze. "In Stormveil, if a human was found dead on our land, your office would receive an imdiate explanation. Accountability is the foundation of this truce."
"And I agree." He nodded. "I assure you, Alpha, my people are working around the clock. I will personally ensure the investigation expands to include your victims."
I wasn’t moved.
"I expect to hear from you within the week. A report. A direction. Sothing. Otherwise—" I paused, letting the tension settle, "I will begin my own investigation. And I won’t need permission to do it."
Brackham’s smile was gone now. "Understood."
"Also," I added, "While we both hope that I don’t lose another one of my people, I want additional patrols placed near the east sector and within the border limits. I will not allow my people to walk these streets in fear."
He nodded quickly. "Consider it done. I will issue the directive before the day ends."
The we stood, and he extended his hand again. "I appreciate your frankness, Alpha Draven. You have my word."
I clasped his hand once more, this ti holding his gaze a little longer.
"We will see," I said, then turned and left with Jeffery.
---
The black vehicle was quiet as we pulled away from the city hall. Duskmoor’s skyline reflected off the glass, all sharp corners and smooth deceit.
Jeffery cleared his throat beside . "Alpha, do you trust him?"
"No," I said without hesitation. "Not for a second."
Jeffery nodded, unsurprised. "So, what now?"
"We continue our own investigation. Quietly," I said. "I want our eyes in every facility where our people are."
"I will see to it," Jeffery replied.
I leaned into the seat, briefly shutting my eyes.
"And call my brother," I added. "Tell him to co back for dinner. We need to discuss our next move."
"Yes, Alpha." Jeffery pulled out his phone imdiately.
I stared out the tinted window, watching the city blur by as my thoughts drifted back to a certain soone.
I was going back to her, and I wasn’t even sure I was ready to face her. Yet.
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