As Rayne walked in through the gate, she felt the presence of the Eastern Highlands wolves watching her, curious but distant. She wasn’t one of them. And they could feel it.
She was led inside, through corridors filled with carved archways and echoes of authority. Every step closer to him brought a surge of emotions she fought hard to keep buried.
Finally, the guard stopped outside a tall wooden door.
“He’s inside.”
Rayne nodded, waited for the guard to leave, then steadied herself before pushing the door open.
Lucian stood at the far end of the room, near a window overlooking the valley. He was alone, dressed in a dark tunic, the weight of leadership draped across his shoulders. But the moment the door creaked, he turned.
And froze.
His eyes locked onto hers, and for a long, heavy
