Darien's POV
The moment I crossed into our territory, I felt the tension shift in the air. Word always traveled faster than I did, and judging by the looks from the patrol guards at the gate, the rumors had reached home before I even left Aria standing in that clearing.
One of the guards approached me carefully, bowing his head but avoiding my eyes. “Alpha, your father has summoned you to the council chamber. He said it was urgent.”
I let out a slow breath and nodded. “Of course he did. Did he say why?”
The guard hesitated. “It concerns the rumors, Alpha.”
I almost laughed at the predictability of it all. “Then let us not keep him waiting.”
I walked through the courtyard without stopping to greet anyone. Conversations quieted as I passed, and I could feel the weight of curiosity pre
