Elsa’s pov
The halls of the pack house were still cloaked in shadow, lanterns flickering dimly as I followed Lila toward the Luna’s chambers. My body ached from yesterday’s meeting, from the endless cleaning and the gnawing hunger, but I forced myself upright.
There was no room for weakness now. Not when Crystal was waiting.
When we entered, Crystal was already awake. She sat before her gilded mirror, brushing her hair with deliberate, graceful strokes. Her reflection met mine in the glass, and her lips curved into a smile that made my stomach knot.
“Well,” she said lightly, setting the brush aside. “My little maids. How prompt.”
Her eyes flicked over Ruth and Dahlia with mild interest, then lingered on Lila with a smirk. Finally, she turned to me—lingering, savoring.
“You will star
