oom was thick enough

his mother said firmly, her voice r

s eyes cold as ever. The air around him was heavy w

. Xavier leaned back in his chair, watching the convers

id, "then by law, the position of Alpha will pass

ened, but he sti

il will vote. They want a Luna, a proper partner at your side. Withou

id finally, his voice sharp. "

've held this pack together through war and peace, and now you're going to let

for days, but nothing had changed. He wouldn't pick anyone. And the women they'd introduc

the door op

, to serve during the family meeting. She walked slowly, carefully placing the glasses in f

to listen. She

lex's side, she hear

ks," his cousin said, "I'll take ov

an p

about who ruled the pack. But because in

m I still cleaning floors and serving tea when

ong, her nights quiet and filled with worry. And yet, she kept

ight, or kindness. But in pressure and

rned back toward the table. Everyone was still

p forward. "I'll

toward her. Alex's head tilted

epeated. "I'll be your

ed was loud. Lena gaspe

mother

reatened to take the title

You're a cleaner." And beside you d

But I heard everything. You

ghed coldly. "

her sharp eyes studying Lucian. "You understand what

ng. I'll follow every rule. I just want to

ghts screamed them: I need the money. I need to

ckled. "Sh

h, as if to stop her

sure if she was brave or foolish. May

presence filled the room like a storm about to break. His da

n't laugh, didn't scold her, didn't mock h

, he turned and walke

room, heavy and calculated. The room

said at last, "

able, her hands still shaking. Her hear

loser and placed a hand on h

tray slowly to the table, her hands still shaking

d placed a hand on her shoulder. "Yo

what to say. She on

room, Lena cau

er whispered in a panic. "Why wo

own. "Because n

't even

to know him.

hing dark," Lena said quie

smile. "Life hasn't bee

y before Lena

s already talking. The cleaner who volunteered to marry the Alpha. The ma

gnored t

ring at the cracked ceiling, h

to do, for Gran

would bring. But she knew one