Slade
With Layla gone from the Palace, I was left alone. I felt like I was behind enemy lines in my own home, uncertain who I could trust and who would betray me. Even the omega's usual whispering felt suspect. I barely found relief in the rumor mill providing an adequate explanation for Gregory and Janet's sudden departure from the castle after the mindlink Layla had received supporting the maid's claim that my men were working against me.
I spent the next several days sequestered in my office. The preparations for the naming ceremony for the new Alpha of Silver Crescent were being handled by the advisers, and it felt safer for me to keep to myself. So far as anyone knew, I was reviewing the daily reports that Zeke would send regarding the attacks. It helped that there was a modicum of
