A figure stepped inside.
Not Lila.
But someone worse.
Beta Cavan.
Cold-eyed. Loyal. Brutal.
His gaze landed on her like a dagger.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, voice flat, almost bored.
Maren dropped into a bow. “Forgive me, sir. I—I was sent to collect the elder’s seal for archiving. I didn’t mean to—”
“By whose order?”
She hesitated.
He took a step closer.
“You were snooping,” he said simply. “And that’s not your place.”
Her mouth went dry. “I only—”
He grabbed her arm. Hard.
“I should report you to Lila.”
Maren’s mind raced. She had to think fast.
Or she wouldn’t leave this room at all.
Maren winced as Beta Cavan’s fingers dug into her arm. His grip was unforgiving, like iron wrapped in flesh.
“I asked you a question,” he growled. “Who sent you?”
Her lips parte
