Ava's POV
"A message for…" the courier began, but his words got sliced off like his voice box had been yanked out. He glanced at Steve, who was still sprawled on the floor, hands tied behind his back. I caught Steve's quick head shake, a wordless command to zip it. My insides knotted—what was he keeping under wraps?
"Out with it, lad!" Elder Thamon thundered, his booming tone filling the council chamber, his frustration obvious.
The messenger just froze there, beads of sweat rolling down his brow, looking like a rabbit in a spotlight. His gaze stayed glued to Steve, as if pleading for backup. Liam was zoned out, staring off into nothing, his expression blank. Either he gave zero shits or was too checked out to notice. The Liam I'd known would've lost his mind seeing his beta like this,
