The night settled heavily over Regina manor as the moon climbed above the dark forest ridge and poured pale silver light across the stone balcony outside Alessandro's chamber, and the quiet air carried the distant murmur of wolves guarding the borders while the Alpha and the woman beside him stood within the room like two figures carved from opposing storms.
Two lines of tense silence stretched between them.
Neither moved.
Neither spoke.
Elara finally exhaled slowly.
"You heard them."
Alessandro nodded once.
"Yes."
Three lines of restrained bitterness colored his voice as he moved away from the window and rested his palm against the edge of the desk, the candlelight revealing shadows beneath his eyes that war and leadership had carved there.
"They think I've lost clarity."
"They think you influence my decisions."
"And maybe they're right."
Elara's expression tightened slightly.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean."
Alessandro did not answer immediately.
