was vast in a way that

. The ceilings were high, carved with symbols of wolves and moons, and every footstep echoed as though the palace

rents most when the

t in softly. She would lie awake beside Alessia, staring at the ceiling while memories pressed against her c

tears came w

essia would not hear. She did not want to be pitied. She did not wa

r always

or in the quiet corners of the training yard where she watched warriors spar from a distance. He never treated

e to her like sh

her on the palace steps, "that wolves can re

head, her eyes r

continued. "Even whe

adiness in his voice anchored her. When he talked, the

ecame her

through the palace as if it were theirs by right, introducing her to secret passageways and hidden balconi

night, Alessia whispered stories-some real, some wildly imagined

e the war, Hazel felt s

pha and his family

er dress. The room was enormous, dominated by a long table carved from dark wood, symbols of the p

ce commanding without effort. His Luna sat beside h

said gently. "You

, she was met with warmth-questions asked kindly, smiles offered freely. Alpha Zane s

e said, meeting her eyes.

odged deep

curtsied, curious but kind, and the guards bowed their heads respectful

only way she knew ho

eyes caught the light like polished amber, and her thick, wavy brown hair framed her face in soft curl

offering shy smiles. Hazel smiled back,

ays helping whe

ythm of cooking-the chopping, the stirring, the scent of spices warming the air. When she offer

maid murmured as Hazel prepared

said softly, pride flickeri

arty meals that reminded the palace of warmth beyond

s, Hazel was

t a remind

er place in a world that

, the Night Walker Palace felt

ow easily belonging