Serene's Pov
He recoiled in horror at what he saw, trying but failing to form words.
I laughed at the sight and moved fully into the dark space. “Go ahead and touch it.”
The flickering torchlight painted his features in jagged patterns, deepening the hollows under his eyes.
He stared, his gaze darting between my face and the bundle, searching for a truth he couldn’t quite grasp. Then he cautiously poked the bundle on the floor with his toe. Now half convinced, he pulled away the shawl covering the baby and turned back to face me with bitterness and annoyance when he saw that it was nothing but a doll dressed in baby clothing — plastic.
“You should have seen your face, Alpha.” I paused. “I came with news. Mistress Ianthe has put to bed.”
Silence.
“It was a baby girl. She had her moth
