MOONLIGHT POOLED across the polished floor of Cassian’s study, where the Alpha King stood framed by the tall windows, an immovable silhouetted against the night.
Both of them were quiet.
No one dared to speak at first.
Cassian was busy behind his desk, waiting for the Alpha King to speak first.
Varek sighed. “I heard what happened,” he said. His voice carried the low authority of a man used to being obeyed. “Nyxaria’s creature attacked your pack.”
“News travels fast,” Cassian said. He set the file of reports he’d been reading on the desk and didn’t look up. “I’m sure you’re not here for that, Your Majesty.”
Varek’s gaze didn’t waver. For the briefest moment, his eyes softened. He glanced at Cassian. Won’t he —will he — ever truly recognize me as his father? He thought.
“In your p
