The Alpha's chamber's stone walls were dimly shadowed by the low crackling fire in the hearth. With her arms loosely bound behind her, Elaria faced the three individuals who had just made her feel cold.
Weyric.
Athissa.
And the silver-eyed Elder who had said nothing—but stared at her like a puzzle he already knew how to solve.
“You say nothing?” Weyric asked, pacing in front of her. “Even now?”
Elaria stayed silent. Her instincts screamed that this was not the moment to speak.
Not yet.
“I told you,” she said finally, “I was caught outside the Veyne border. The rogues attacked. He killed them. That’s it.”
Athissa’s heels clicked against the stone as she stepped forward, circling like a predator.
“You’re lying.”
“No,” Elaria said.
“I see it all over you,” Athissa whispered, stopp
