(Zayden)
The door slams open before I can say enter.
Caleb………Of course it’s Caleb.
Rowan doesn’t even look up from the parchment. Serena goes still beside me.
The declaration is already written in black ink. My seal waiting next to it.
Isla Thorn. Deserter.
“Don’t,” Caleb says.
I lean back in my chair. “You’re late to the meeting, Beta.”
“I’m not late,” he snaps. “I came to stop this.”
Rowan sighs like Caleb is five years old. “Caleb. This isn’t your decision.”
“The hell it isn’t,” Caleb shoots back. “I’m his Beta. It’s my job to tell him when he’s about to ruin himself.”
Serena’s mouth tightens. “Careful.”
“Or what?” Caleb turns on her. “You’ll have him punish me? He’s good at that. Punishing the people he should’ve protected.”
“Enough,” I say.
My voice sounds tired even t
