Cayden’s POV
The Thorn mansion’s dining hall glimmered under the amber glow of chandeliers—gold against cold marble. The walls were lined with portraits of past Alphas and Lunas: proud, regal. The only person who belonged among those legendary figures sat across the table from me.
Aurora.
The true Luna.
Her posture was perfect—elegant but distant. She hadn’t spoken a single word since we sat down… not to Alexander, and especially not to the woman hovering proudly near the kitchen doorway.
Nova Wilder.
The snake disguised as a kitten.
She carried dishes out from the kitchen with a smile too bright, as if this meal were her coronation. Her eyes glittered each time Alexander’s gaze landed anywhere near her.
She placed a bowl of roasted rabbit stew in front of me.
The scent of rosemar
