ARIA
“Lower your heads,” I whispered, stepping forward before anyone could stop me. The air felt tight, like it was waiting for a mistake.
“Excuse me?” Corvin snapped back. “I won’t. She is not my queen.”
“She isn’t a wolf,” I replied in a low, hard whisper. Anger pressed against my ribs, but I kept it controlled. “She’s the reason this place feels wrong. She’s a witch, and a very powerful one. We walked into her land carrying a magical amulet. Show her respect, and maybe she won’t end us with a thought.”
The silence that followed was thick and ugly.
For a moment, I truly thought they would refuse.
Aside from Liora and Paisley, these were wolves used to ruling rooms. Used to obedience. Used to only one name carrying weight above theirs—Kael. They didn’t bow. They didn’t lower their
