Serena’s POV
The heavy iron door of the high tower groaned, pulling me from a cold sleep.
I sat up quickly, my heart hammering against my ribs. The stone floor was freezing, biting through my thin clothes.
Penelope shifted beside me in the dark, her eyes fluttering open in raw panic.
"Who is there?" I called out, my voice echoing in the small room. I moved in front of my sister, shielding her with my body.
A hooded figure slipped through the narrow gap before the heavy door clicked shut. The noise cut off the harsh draft.
The figure lowered his dark hood, revealing the pale face of Arthur, the pack historian. He held a flickering candle in one hand and a thick book tucked tightly under his other arm.
"Arthur?" I whispered, scrambling to my feet. I rubbed my arms to ward off the c
