The dining hall was already alive with quiet movement when Aire stepped in.

Aire walked in with careful steps. Mabel, Madam, and three other maids followed in behind her.

She felt a strange strong pull towards Alaric. Aire blinked at the feeling, but didn’t look at him.

Alaric’s gaze settled on her the moment she crossed the threshold. It followed her.

Aire felt it like a weight resting gently against her skin. The feeling was just there. She kept walking.

Her hands were folded lightly before her, with her posture steady, and her chin lifted just enough to hold the role she had been given.

She knew Alaric was watching her, but she had promised to seat beside Nate today. She wouldn’t change that.

Aire reached her seat beside Nate.

Just before she sat, she lifted her gaze slightly. Their eyes met. Her expression softened. Her lips curved up into a small quiet smile.

Alaric didn’t return it.

His jaw tightened faintly, then he comoletely looked away.

"More wine," he said, lifting a hand slightly toward a passing maid. His tone was calm and detached.

The maid moved immediately.

Aire watched him again for a fraction of a second before lowering herself into her seat. Her smile immediately faded at the sound of his tune.

Across the table, Alpha Blackfen’s gaze rested on the empty seat beside him. He had waited for her presence for over 30 minutes now, which was unusual.

Adele’s had not been touched. Untouched food, and untouched glass rested before her seat.

His fingers tapped once against the table, then stilled.

Xanden noticed him. He didn’t turn away from Alpha Blackfen. He simply tapped his foot on the floor, following a rhythm.

His gaze darkened, settling on Alpha Blackfen with quiet sharpness. He watched him, and waited for whatever he was about to do.

Alpha Blackfen pulled his chair back. The sound cut softly across the table. He stood up, and Xanden moved immediately.

"A word, Alpha Blackfen," he said smoothly, before the man could take a step away. The interruption was seamless, and timed.

Alpha Blackfen’s eyes darkened. He didn’t like being stopped, especially not like this. He needed to find his daughter.

"Have your seat," Xanden added, gesturing lightly to the chair. "We’ll talk here."

Alpha Blackfen’s gaze shifted briefly to the head of the table.

King Elijah watched them both. Then he gave a single, slow nod to Alpha Blackfen, asking him to respect Xanden words.

Alpha Blackfen sat.

The chair scraped faintly against the floor as he pulled it back in.

Before Xanden could speak, Alpha Blackfen spoke first.

"How is the north border?" he asked, his tone even. Casual, almost. "I’ll be passing that route tonight."

Xanden’s fingers traced the rim of his wine glass slowly. "My Beta is taking care of the borders," he said calmly.

Alpha Blackfen’s gaze sharpened immediately. "So he isn’t in the castle?" he questioned, almost urgent.

Xanden held his gaze, unblinking.

"He isn’t in the castle as we speak," he replied. "Why do you ask?"

Alpha Blackfen leaned back slightly. "Routine curiosity," he said. "If I’m to pass that route, I prefer to know who holds command."

King Elijah’s gaze shifted between them.

Xanden tilted his head slightly.

"Of course," he said. "Though I wasn’t aware your route required such urgency."

Alpha Blackfen’s jaw tightened faintly.

"A man does not need urgency to remain informed."

"No," Xanden agreed smoothly. "Safe trip to you."

Silence stretched between them.

Then suddenly, Xanden lifted his glass.

"Drink," he said lightly, as though nothing had passed between them at all. "You’ll find the wine agreeable."

Alpha Blackfen picked up his glass. His gaze remained on Xanden longer than it should have, before he brought the wine to his lips.

...

Meanwhile... the world beyond stable had been sealed away.

Adele stepped back from Torak slowly.

The warmth of his arms lingered on her skin even after she pulled away. She didn’t look at him immediately after pulling away.

Instead, she turned toward the scattered hay, moving a few steps forward before lowering herself onto it.

The dry strands shifted softly beneath her.

Torak followed. Not because she asked him to, but because he always would.

He sat beside her.

Adele tilted her head slightly.

"What do you think of Lord Varent?" she asked, almost casually.

Torak didn’t look at her. He wondered why she would ask him such. Especially with what Lord Varent did the day of the ball. "It’s not my place to give my opinions, Adele."

Her gaze shifted to him. "I demand your opinion." She said softly, yet demanding.

Torak exhaled slowly. His gaze dropped to the hay beneath his feet. "He appears fond of you."

Adele huffed faintly. "His title is his most attractive quality."

She turned fully toward him then. Her hand lifted and without hesitation or permission, she reached for him, tucking a loose strand of his hair behind his ear.

Torak stilled.

His breath caught just slightly. His gaze shifted to her hand first, then to her eyes. His green eyes held her dark ones.

His wolf stirred lightly, then relaxed almost immediately.

"Do you love me, Adele?"

The question came out quieter than he intended. The wind almost carried it away.

Adele chuckled softly. Her fingers didn’t leave him. They traced down from his ear, along his jaw, and to the corner of his mouth.

The movement was slow and deliberate, as it unravelled Torak and ignited his insides.

She pressed her thumb against his lips.

Torak’s breath hitched. "Adele..." he warned, his voice low and tight.

She hushed him.

Her thumb slipped just past his lips for a brief second then withdrew, pressing lightly against his lower lip instead.

"You’re not my mate, Torak."

The words landed gently.

Torak exhaled through his nose. Frustration flickered across his face.

"Think about it," she continued softly. "We’ve been this way for years... and nothing has ever... sparked."

Her voice dipped, barely above a whisper.

"Lord Varent might make a better decision for me... if the Moon goddess decides."

Torak’s hand came up.

He took her wrist, not rough, but firm enough to stop her. He moved her hand away from his face, then he turned away from her completely.

"Alright, then." He said, his voice now flat. "You should leave before your father notices your absence."

"Torak—"

"Leave, Adele," he said, softer now, almost pleading.

He turned back to her and smiled. It visible didn’t reach his eyes.

"I’m not mad."

He took her hand again. This time, gentler. He slipped her glove off slowly and carefully.

Then he lifted her hand, and pressed his lips to the inside of her palm. His lips lingered there, as he shut his eyes in pure reverence.

"You should be having dinner right now." He murmured into her palm.

Adele watched him.

Torak lifted his face from her palm, and stared into her eyes. His eyes moved down to her lips, and back into her eyes again. Her lips pressed together faintly at the intensity of his gaze.

Her hand lifted again, this time to his jaw.

She rubbed it softly with the softed affection she only lets him see. She leaned forward, and pressed a quiet light kiss to his cheek.

.....

Back in the dining hall...

Alpha Blackfen set his glass down after taking the third glass Xanden had persuaded him to take.

"Excuse me," he said abruptly.

He didn’t wait for permission. He stood, and this time, no one stopped him.

Xanden’s gaze followed him.

King Elijah leaned back slightly in his seat, watching as Alpha Blackfen left the hall.

Then his gaze shifted to Xanden.

When Alpha Blackfen got to the corridors, he walked fast. Too fast for a man who claimed composure as he fought hard with himself not to shift, and get to where he is in the blink of an eye.

His steps echoed sharply against the stone floors.

Servants stepped aside immediately as no one dared slow him, or speak.

He finally reached Adele’s door. Without knocking, he opened it immediately.