The days following the dinner carried a different kind of weight for Celeste. The truth of her name now hung between her, Silas, and Victoria. Neither had pressed her for more details yet, but she could feel the unspoken questions in their eyes. The knowledge of who she was—and what she represented—had shifted something in the air.
She had expected fear, suspicion, or even resentment from Silas. Instead, there had been an unusual quietness in him, a stillness that felt both unsettling and strange. Victoria, on the other hand, wore her curiosity openly. Celeste could almost feel her best friend’s questions itching to be asked, but to her credit, Victoria had given her space.
Celeste spent most of her time in the quieter halls of the Alpha King’s residence. She found solace in the small li
