“Uncle,” I reply, matching his tone. I lean in slightly. “Appreciate the rescue. Gradin would’ve talked until sunrise.”
He smirks. “I could already see the ambush brewing. You’re welcome.”
Then he turns to Kassira and gives a small bow. “Luna Queen,” he says, with a rare warmth in his voice. “I’ve heard plenty about you from my nephew. Beautiful, intelligent, kind, and strong. From where I’m standing, it seems he was right.”
Kass arches a brow, smirking. “I haven’t even said a word. How can you be so sure he wasn’t exaggerating?”
He taps the side of his nose with a grin. “I have a nose for greatness.”
Kass lets out a quiet laugh, light and genuine. And just like that, my mood shifts. Her laughter always does that to me — cuts through the noise, the pressure, the weight of everything hanging over us.
She’s the calm in the storm.
Less than half an hour later, my mood nosedives.
Kass isn’t seated next to me at the long table. Instead, Amira’s name is printed neatly on the place card where Kassira’s should be.
Fuck this.
I pick up the card like it’s something filthy and hand it to the nearest server. “Find another seat for her,” I say, voice cold and clipped. “My mate sits beside me.”
The server’s eyes widen. He nods fast and disappears.
Kass slips into the chair beside me with a satisfied sigh and a sharp look in Amira’s direction. “This woman is getting ridiculous,” she mutters. “She’s acting like a spoiled teenager. This is her father’s funeral dinner, for the goddesses’ sake.”
“I know,” I say, lowering my head and brushing my lips against her temple. “I’ll deal with her. After the funeral.”
“Can I watch?” she asks, eyes sparkling with excitement.
I chuckle under my breath. “If that’s what makes you happy, you’ll get a front-row seat.”
“Great,” she hums. “I’ll bring the sweets.”
Sin drops into the seat on my other side, already rolling his sleeves. “Hei,” he greets lowly. “No one’s acting out of pocket. At least not the Alpha Primes or their mates. My sister’s still a bitch, but that’s nothing new. Didn’t get to corner the Mirenwulf heir yet, though. He’s been avoiding too much contact.”
“Keep your eyes sharp,” I say. “This whole thing stinks. I don’t believe for a second that Parrin’s death was natural.”
He nods once. “Will do.”
Dinner goes about as well as a formal gathering in enemy territory can. Luna Hana offers a quiet tribute to her mate. A few Alphas speak about Parrin’s leadership, his legacy. Standard posturing and mourning, all polished and proper.
But Amira? She keeps looking at me like I’m a prize she won and just misplaced temporarily.
Every time her eyes flicker to Kass, I feel a growl rising inside my chest.
This isn’t just jealousy. My instincts are screaming. There’s something else going on with her — something I can’t ignore anymore.
She’ll be going through an interrogation right after the funeral.
At least, that’s the plan.
But I don’t get the chance.
The last thing I remember is leaving the dining hall and walking down the hallway with Kassira, her hand warm in mine, the scent of her calming every nerve in my body as we headed back to our room.
The next thing I know, I’m swallowed in darkness.
Weightless. Disoriented.
