The days after the summit were quiet in the most dangerous way.
Not the kind of peace that soothed—but the kind that strained. That whispered of storms too heavy for the air to carry much longer.
Maria had avoided Joseph and Luca since the argument. Not out of spite, but because every time she looked at them, all she saw was doubt in their eyes. Not toward her power. Not toward her loyalty. But toward her heart. And that wounded her deeper than any blade.
She’d retreated into the wilds at the edge of the territory, sleeping beneath the stars, feeling her wolf grow restless. They didn’t come for her. Not once.
And that silence screamed louder than all of Xavier’s lies.
But the silence was not to last.
On the fourth night, Maria returned.
Not to apologize.
Not to explain.
But to tak
