The corridor stretched before us, our footsteps a soft percussion against marble floors as we made our way back to Theo's suite. His fingers were intertwined with mine, warm and steady, a constant that had somehow become essential in the span of a single week. Behind us, our guards maintained a respectful distance—close enough to protect, far enough for us to pretend we were alone.
I still wasn't used to it—the way servants and ministers alike dropped into bows and curtsies, the way "Your Majesty" fell from their lips so naturally when I passed. Seven days ago, I'd been simply Emma Maxwell, Gamma of the Blood Moon Pack. Now I wore a title that pressed against my shoulders with the same weight as Theo's hand at the small of my back.
"You're quiet," Theo murmured, his voice low enough tha
