elle

t of old books and sandalwood. It was a room that smelle

esk like a queen on her throne, her

posture poised, my expression

of warmth. "Tell me the truth of what ha

as an accident. Lucy slipped, and I fell while trying to catch her. M

leanly, severing any connection to J

m on the polished wood of her desk. "So you

artha, I am already betrothed. It would be impossibl

crack in my composure. My heart pounded against my ribs, a fra

you," she s

rdening, "those who have slandered your name and damaged

rp and final. "Inform the guards. Lydia Blackwood, and every other person identified as s

d to send a clear message to the e

icker of satisfaction in my eyes

s, entered. She was Aidan and Julian's mother, and a long-

was all a misunderstanding, perhaps for the sake of dear Isabelle's reputation, we should a

mpt to remove a potential rival to her own

n was

ability. "Aunt Dolores is right. Though I am innocent, the whispers will never truly fade as long as Mr

the desperate request of

as she weighed her options. Jalon was a powerful future asset. But th

th, certain sh

ook he

. "Jalon's skills are too valuable to the pack. We wi

the real issue here is not the rumor." Her voice dropped, be