The door to Alpha Duncan’s private study is located at the end of the corridor. Hazel stood before them, smoothing down the front of her plain gray apron. She took a deep, quiet breath, letting the steady rhythm of her heart anchor her. Behind her lowered headscarf, her sky-blue eyes were calm, but her mind was alert.
Ever since Beta Silas had threatened her in the corridor, she had been extra careful, keeping her head low and focusing entirely on the twins. Aidan and Liam were changing rapidly. They no longer flinched when she walked into the room, and they had even began to smile more, their small voices filling the quiet nursery wing with genuine, innocent laughter.
The heavy door creaked open before she could knock. Jael, one of Duncan’s elite personal guards, stepped out. He gave Ha
