Claudia's POV
I had spent years learning exactly how to please Lady Duran. She liked her tea with a slice of lemon. She preferred white roses over red. She appreciated humility in public and elegance in private.
Every smile, every compliment, every thoughtful gift, I'd perfected them all. Because one day, she was supposed to become my mother-in-law. Today, none of it mattered.
I placed the porcelain teacup in front of her with my sweetest smile.
"I remembered this is your favorite blend."
Lady Duran barely glanced at it. "Thank you."
Her voice was polite, but cold. A far cry from the warmth she'd once shown me.
She is a bit different today, Claudia, my wolf snarled.
I noticed. I sat across from her.
"Is everything alright, Lady Duran?" I asked in a concerned tone.
"Is there a rea
