The silence in the Alpha’s house was louder than any war drum.
I stood by the window, arms wrapped around myself, watching warriors race past below.
Shadows moved like ghosts, preparing for something everyone feared, but no one would say out loud.
War.
Aiden briefly went out, and he hadn’t come back yet.
Every sound outside made my heart race.
A soft knock made me jump. I turned sharply, ready for anything....except who I saw.
Aiden.
But something was different. His clothes were dirtied, ripped at the sleeve. His face was unreadable. His eyes… too calm.
I stepped back as he entered.
“What happened?” I asked, voice tight.
He didn’t answer immediately. He walked past me, poured himself a drink, and downed it in one gulp before finally speaking.
“I released him.”
I froze.
“You
