The absolute, deafening silence that followed Roxy's declaration was heavy enough to crack the wooden dining table.
Five incredibly lethal, fiercely territorial Alpha Kings sat completely frozen. The warm, spicy steam rising from the bowls of noodles suddenly felt like the only moving thing in the room.
Kaelen's chopsticks stalled halfway to his mouth. Torian's hand, which had been resting comfortably on the back of Roxy's chair, went entirely rigid. Zarek's eyes narrowed into sharp, dangerous slits.
Syris was the first to break the silence. The Snake Beastman set his wooden spoon down with a soft, deliberate clack against the ceramic bowl.
"Roxy," Syris started. He leaned forward, his green pupils locking onto her green eyes. "Need I remind you of what he did?"
