Adele turned at the sound of the door opening, her body going still for a split second.

The tension left her just as quickly as it came when she saw who it was.

Her father stood at the doorway.

She let out a soft breath, one she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Alpha Blackfen drew in a slow, measured inhale. His palm pressed flat against his chest, steadying everything unsettled within him. For a brief moment, he simply stood there, looking at her.

He didn’t know why he had expected otherwise.

Still, the sight of her in the room grounded him in a way he hadn’t anticipated. He stepped inside and shut the door behind him with quiet finality.

"Why didn’t you come to dinner?" he asked, his voice controlled now, with his breathing even again.

Adele lowered the lid of the chest in front of her. The soft thud from the chest echoed faintly in the room. Then she turned fully to face him, her expression composed, and her gaze steady.

"I was preparing for our leave," she replied.

Alpha Blackfen’s eyes moved past her, sweeping the room with sharpness, assessing precision before settling on the maid standing nearby.

"Tabitha," he called, his tone clipped. "How long has your mistress been here?"

"All evening, Alpha Blackfen," the maid answered at once, bowing her head respectfully.

Adele’s brow lifted slightly at that. Her gaze returned to her father, searching his face more carefully this time.

"Did something happen?" she asked.

Alpha Blackfen didn’t answer immediately.

His gaze lingered on her face for a second longer than necessary, as though searching for something beneath her skin. Something misplaced, and something out of order.

His eyes shifted again, slowly and deliberately taking in the room. The trunk was closed, and the bed looked undisturbed.

Nothing felt wrong.

And yet, his chest refused to settle.

"No," he said finally.

His voice was even, but the word came out tighter than he intended.

Adele watched him carefully.

He didn’t look convinced by his own answer. "Then why are you here?" she asked, quieter now.

Alpha Blackfen inhaled slowly through his nose. His hand dropped from his chest.

"You were not at dinner," he said. "That is reason enough."

Adele held his gaze.

"You said we would leave tonight," she reminded him, respectfully. "I chose to prepare."

Her tone was calm, and controlled, not defensive in any way.

That, somehow, irritated him more. His eyes narrowed slightly. "You chose," he repeated. "Do you choose when I haven’t permitted?"

Adele didn’t respond to that.

Silence stretched between them.

Behind her, Tabitha stood still, her head lowered, and her hands folded neatly before her.

Alpha Blackfen’s gaze flickered to her again.

"All evening," he repeated under his breath. Then back to Adele. "You did not step out?"

"No."

"You received no visitors?"

Adele’s lashes lowered slightly. "No."

The lie came easily. It sat on her tongue without weight.

Alpha Blackfen studied her for a moment longer.

Slowly, he decided to accept her words. "Very well," he said.

Adele didn’t relax. She knew better than to mistake silence for safety.

"We leave now," he added.

Her brows pulled together faintly. "Now?"

"Yes."

His tone left no room for question.

"The later we depart, the more eyes we gather," he continued. "I will not have that."

Adele nodded slowly. "Give me a moment," she said.

Alpha Blackfen didn’t move from where he stood. "You have five." He replied.

Adele turned away from him.

She moved toward the vanity. Her steps steadied, despite the way her chest tightened slightly.

Her fingers moved to the small items scattered across the vanity. She gathered them one by one, placing only what she needed into a small satchel.

Behind her, she could feel his gaze watching her.

Her hand paused briefly over a small vial. She stared at it for a second longer than necessary.

Then she picked it up and placed it into the satchel.

"Leave the rest," Alpha Blackfen said.

"I will," she replied calmly.

He said nothing more.

Adele closed the satchel, then she turned to him. "I’m ready."

Alpha Blackfen nodded once.

"Good."

He stepped aside, opening the door. "Move."

Adele walked past him without hesitation. Tabitha followed behind her immediately.

The corridor outside was quieter than usual. The castle had settled into the late hour, though not entirely asleep.

Their footsteps echoed softly against the stone floor.

Alpha Blackfen walked beside her. Close enough that she could feel the pressure of his presence.

"Keep your head forward," he said under his breath.

Adele didn’t turn. She lifted her chin higher, and walked on. Servants stepped aside the moment they saw them.

At the end of the corridor, the cold night air greeted them. A carriage was already waiting when they walked out.

Two guards stood by the carriage. Another opened the door the moment they approached.

Adele paused for just half a second before stepping forward.

She climbed in. Tabitha followed after her.

Alpha Blackfen stepped in last. The door shut firmly behind them.

"Go," he ordered.

The carriage moved immediately.

Inside the carriage, silence settled quickly between them.

Adele sat across from him. Her hands rested lightly in her lap, and her gaze remained forward. Yet she didn’t look at him.

He, however, watched her.

"You will speak carefully before the seer," he said after a moment.

Adele didn’t respond. She simply nodded.

The carriage rolled forward, the rhythm steady beneath them.

"Do not embarrass me," he added.

Her fingers tightened slightly. "I won’t."

His gaze lingered on her for a second longer, then he leaned back, satisfied for now.

....

High above the grounds, behind a darkened window, Torak stood still. The glass before him reflected nothing of his face.

The glass reflected just the movement outside, and he watched the carriage. He had watched it from the moment it was brought forward.

He hadn’t moved since.

His hands rested against the stone ledge beneath the window, as his fingers curled slightly into it.

His gaze followed the carriage as it began to move.

His jaw tightened. He watched every second it moved further away, and it felt as if something was being taken from him.

The wheels rolled over the gravel path, and the distance grew between them.

Torak’s chest rose slowly, then fell. His wolf stirred faintly beneath his skin, feeling his discomfort.

His eyes dimmed slightly. He remained there, watching the carriage until it disappeared beyond the gates.

Below on the lower floor, another window stood open.

Mabel stood before it still and quietly. Her hands rested lightly against the edge of the frame as she looked out into the night.

Her gaze followed the same carriage and watched the departure of the carriage. Mabel eyes held a sharp calculated glint as she tapped her index finger softly in calculations.

Her eyes didn’t soften as the carriage disappeared. They narrowed slightly as she made some mental marking.

Her lips curved, suggesting satisfaction.

"Finally," she murmured under her breath.

Her fingers tapped once against the wood, then stilled.

Behind her, the room remained quiet. Mabel’s gaze lingered on the empty road for a moment longer.

Then she straightened.

She turned away from the window, and walked back into the room.