Chapter 69
Within that evening, the atmosphere was gloomy. The large dining table, usually filled with the chatter of voices, was near silent. Plates of uneaten food were left uncovered, the clinking of cutlery rarely disturbing the silence. Fiona sat beside Kayden, her hands laid in her lap, but lost within pain. Kayden played the concerned mate to perfection — holding her hand under the table, offering her water, leaning in to whisper reassuring words.
After lunch, Darien had them both follow him into his study. The air was subtly perfumed with old leather and smoke from the fire, the light of which caused sinuous shadows to dance upon the walls. A map of the pack lands was pinned to the back of Darien's desk, marked by pins where patrols had traveled and key places were.
Darien faced
