ZANE’S POV
The first day in Xerves’ territory was tense. I guided Kael through the right corners, ensuring he got a thorough look at everything that mattered. He was sharp, his eyes scanning every detail, analyzing the movements of Xerves' people. The guards assisted in gathering information, and we took note of anything that could give us an advantage. We needed to lay our hands on whatever was possible—anything that would help us understand the depth of Xerves’ wrongdoings.
By the time we returned, I could see the weight of it all pressing on Kael’s shoulders. His mind was elsewhere, burdened with everything we had discovered. I felt it too—the uneasy realization that the situation was worse than we thought.
The issue with mates among Xerves' people was more than just a problem—it was
