Nate and Xanden walked into King Elijah’s study.

The room smelled faintly of old parchment and cedarwood. Tall windows behind the massive desk allowed pale morning light to spill across the polished floor.

King Elijah sat behind his desk, already waiting for them.

He did not look pleased.

"Take your seats," King Elijah ordered.

Xanden pulled a chair out effortlessly and sat down without hesitation.

Nate frowned slightly before obeying, lowering himself into the chair beside his brother with far less enthusiasm.

"Why isn’t Alaric here?" Nate asked.

King Elijah shot him a disapproving look but answered anyway.

"He’s the most sensitive among you three," he said calmly. "Surely, he’d agree to whatever we decide."

Xanden rolled his eyes.

"And your most favorite," he added under his breath, just loud enough to be heard.

King Elijah’s gaze sharpened.

"We don’t murmur in this room."

Xanden leaned back in his chair, completely unbothered. "Then perhaps you should stop saying things that invite murmuring."

Nate snorted quietly beside him.

King Elijah ignored the comment and folded his hands on the desk.

"The council elders met this morning," he began.

Neither son looked impressed.

"They have reached a decision."

Xanden’s jaw tightened slightly. He could feel his wolf at the edge, trying to crawl out if he hears the wrong words. "And?"

King Elijah’s voice grew firmer. "They believe the current arrangement with the wolfless girl is... inappropriate."

Nate stared at a crack in the wooden table as if it were the most interesting thing in the room.

King Elijah continued.

"They have therefore advised that the three of you select a suitable wife. A Luna worthy of the throne."

Xanden let out a slow breath, then he laughed. His laugh didn’t sound amused. "You summoned us here for that?"

King Elijah’s expression hardened. "The council’s voice carries weight in this kingdom." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"They should worry about their own failures instead," Xanden replied sharply.

His tone turned colder. "If those old men want to be useful, they should start by giving fair justice to the rough wolves they drove out of their packs."

King Elijah’s jaw tightened.

"Those wolves were exiled for a reason."

"Yes," Xanden replied flatly. "For being poor, inconvenient, and easy to blame."

Silence filled the room.

King Elijah’s patience was wearing thin. "This discussion is not about them," he said firmly. "It is about your future Luna."

Nate suddenly stretched his arms lazily above his head.

"Speaking of future plans," he muttered.

Xanden glanced sideways at him.

Nate looked at his brother casually. "We should go hunting today."

King Elijah stared at him. "Are you even listening?"

Nate shrugged. "Partially. We talk about this almost every time."

He leaned back in his chair. "The weather’s good. Wolves are restless. Seems like a decent day for it."

Xanden rubbed his temple.

King Elijah’s voice dropped dangerously.

"This is not a matter to be dismissed."

Nate finally looked at him. His expression was calm. Too calm for his nature.

"I might not see her fit to stand by my side because of the curse," Nate said lazily.

King Elijah frowned.

"But if she infuriates you and those old fucks so much," Nate continued, "then I’ll learn to treat her with absolute respect."

The words hung in the air.

Xanden blinked slowly.

King Elijah’s expression darkened. "Watch your language."

Nate stood up. "You asked for honesty."

He stretched his neck slightly as if the conversation had already bored him.

"Come on," he said to Xanden. "Let’s go hunting."

Xanden remained seated for another moment, watching their father carefully. Then he stood as well.

"This discussion isn’t finished," King Elijah warned.

Xanden smirked faintly. "It never is. Even if we seat here for hours listening to you. We won’t take another wife."

The two brothers turned and walked out of the study, leaving their father alone with the council’s demands echoing uselessly in the quiet room.

......

"I love the lilac soap," Aire informed Madam as she stepped naked into the wash tub.

Steam curled softly around the golden bath, filling the room with warmth and the delicate scent of flowers.

Madam picked up the lilac soap from the small table beside the tub and approached her.

Alaric had long left the room without saying a word to Aire.

Madam dipped the soap into the warm water before gently beginning to lather it across Aire’s shoulders.

She asked the other maids to stay away for now.

"You have good taste," Madam said. "This one was made by the herb keeper’s daughter. She grows the lilacs herself."

Aire hummed softly in response.

The warm water relaxed her muscles, and the faint fragrance of the soap seemed to settle pleasantly around her senses.

Madam moved the cloth slowly across Aire’s back.

Then she froze.

Her hand stopped mid-motion. Her brows pulled together in confusion. She leaned closer. And she saw that she was correct.

The marks were gone.

Every single one.

Just yesterday the girl’s back had been a terrible sight with thin, angry wounds running across pale skin, and bruises blooming like dark petals beneath the surface.

Madam had cleaned them herself.

She had applied ointment herself.

She knew what she had seen.

Yet now... There was nothing.

No scabs, no bruises, and no scars.

Aire’s skin was smooth and unmarked. Like she had a wolf which she didn’t.

Madam blinked slowly, convinced her eyes were deceiving her.

She moved the cloth again, pushing the damp strands of silver hair aside so she could see clearly.

Still nothing.

"Aire..." Madam said slowly.

Aire tilted her head slightly but didn’t turn around. "Yes?"

Madam’s voice grew cautious.

"Your back."

Aire blinked lazily. "My back?"

Madam placed a careful hand on the girl’s shoulder and gently turned her slightly so she could look better.

"The wounds," Madam said quietly. "They’re gone."

Aire looked down at the water, as if the thought had barely occurred to her.

"Oh."

Madam stared at her. "Oh?" she repeated.

Aire dipped her fingers into the bath absentmindedly, watching the ripples spread across the surface.

"Perhaps it’s the ointment," she said after a moment.

Madam frowned. "That ointment doesn’t work miracles."

Aire shrugged lightly. "The healer said it was strong."

Madam studied her carefully now.

The girl’s expression held no worry. Just simple calm curiosity. As if healing overnight was the most normal thing in the world for someone with no wolf.

Madam reached out again, brushing her fingers lightly across the smooth skin of Aire’s back.

It sent a strange chill through her despite the heat of the bath.

"That..." Madam murmured softly, mostly to herself. "That shouldn’t be possible."

Aire leaned back slightly in the tub, letting the warm water lap gently around her shoulders.

Her silver hair floated lightly across the surface.

"I feel better," she said simply.

Madam stared at her for another long moment.

Something about this girl had always been unusual. She single handedly killed a council member.

But this... This was something else entirely.

Madam slowly resumed washing her, though her mind was no longer on the task.

Somewhere deep inside, a quiet unease had begun to grow.