"Your Grace, do you think this is actually a good idea?"
"What do you mean?" Freda asked, quite confused.
"Well... the alliance, Ethan’s marriage, and his coronation. Ethan will never allow this. He respects you, yes—but you know him."
"You’re my late husband’s Beta, right? So, what do you suggest?"
"I just have a bad feeling about this alliance. The Lupari Pack might use us for their own benefit. And we Black Wolves... we’re lone wolves. In everything we do, we do it alone."
"I get what you mean, but I’ve made up my mind. The alliance and Ethan’s marriage will push through."
"We need to go now, Rinna. The journey to the Lupari Pack isn’t a day’s trip. I’m sure they’ll be expecting our arrival."
Rinna nodded. "I’ll get the car ready so we can leave."
***
Days later – at the Lupari
