Aurora’s POV

I saw Craig lingering nearby, watching me with a mixture of admiration and something darker—desire, perhaps, or greed. I allowed myself a small, calculated smile. This was the moment I’d been preparing for. I needed allies, and Craig was the perfect one. His devotion was unwavering, and I was already planning how to harness that loyalty for my own ends.

He approached softly, his dark eyes shining with unspoken admiration. “Aurora,” he said ...