Chapter 1
The Sentinel hit the pillar hard.
Too hard.
The sound shut the entire dining hall down instantly.
Draven didn't even raise his voice.
"You're late."
The Sentinel swallowed. "My Alpha, the report from the northern border"
Draven moved.
One second he was seated.
The next, his hand was around the man's throat, slamming him into stone.
The hall froze.
Elira gasped.
Ronan stood halfway.
Luna Adrielle didn't move.
The Sentinel struggled, choking.
Draven leaned in slightly.
"I don't tolerate excuses."
A beat.
Then he released him.
The man dropped hard and crawled away.
Silence returned like nothing happened.
Draven sat back down.
Luna Adrielle's voice cut through immediately.
"Really?"
Draven's eyes lifted to her.
Adrielle didn't blink.
"You break your own men for breathing wrong," she said. "Then act surprised when the pack is unstable."
Elira looked down.
Ronan stayed silent.
Draven didn't respond.
The doors opened.
A slave entered.
Lyra.
She didn't rush. Didn't hesitate.
Just walked in, head slightly lowered, tray steady in her hands.
Too steady.
Draven noticed.
Of course he did.
She placed the tray down.
A slight tremor in her fingers when she withdrew.
Only for a second.
But he saw it.
His eyes locked on her.
She turned to leave.
He stood.
Fast.
His hand closed around her wrist.
The room went silent again.
Lyra froze.
Slowly, she looked up at him.
No panic.
Just control.
Draven stared at her like something was wrong.
"You're shaking," he said.
She didn't answer.
The silence stretched.
Then he let go.
Roughly.
Like it annoyed him.
"She shouldn't serve me," Draven said flatly. "Unless I ask for her."
A beat.
Luna Adrielle smiled faintly.
Not warm.
Not kind.
"Really?" she said. "You don't want her serving you…"
Her gaze sharpened.
"But you had no issue with her earlier today when she was on your bed."
Elira stiffened.
Ronan looked away.
Draven's jaw tightened.
Adrielle continued.
"For someone who claims control," she said softly, "you're very inconsistent."
Lyra left.
Fast steps.
Controlled.
But outside the hall
her legs faltered slightly.
Just once.
She caught herself on the wall.
Breath steadying.
Then she pushed forward again, the effect of this afternoon had taken a toll on her body then to further add to it Draven had forced down a cup of an cleansing tonic down her throat to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy, which has given her headache and made her vision blurry.
Back inside
Draven didn't move.
His eyes stayed on the door she left through.
Too long.
Too focused.
Then quietly
"She shouldn't serve me…"
A pause.
"…unless I ask for her."
But this time
it didn't sound like a rule.
It sounded like a problem.
Draven's gaze didn't leave the door after Lyra exited and then he clutched his chest.
Ronan noticed it.
"…Alpha?"
Draven didn't respond.
A beat.
Then quietlyhe spoke
"Call the healer."
No one moved.
That was unusual.
Even for him.