A gnawing unease clawed at Damian's chest. He sent Amelia a message, waiting for her reply, but the silence stretched on, heavy and unsettling. Assuming she was resting, he decided to surprise her when he got home. But when he stepped into the den, she was nowhere to be found. He searched every corner, his worry growing sharper with each empty room.
Just as he was about to ask around, Hazel's voice broke through, soft and pained. "Damian, my stomach hurts."
After settling Hazel with a healer, Damian tracked down Juliana. "Mom, where's Amelia? I haven't seen her anywhere."
Juliana shrugged, her tone dismissive. "Probably off sulking. You know, feeling bad about not being able to bear pups. She's likely just clearing her head."
Damian nodded, brushing it off. "I'll talk her down when she
