Aaron’s POV：

The call from Lucas came while I was still buried in the monotony of office work. His tone was falsely bright, commanding rather than inviting: Return to the castle at once. A banquet is to be held—there is cause for celebration.

Celebration? The word jarred against me. Whose birthday? What triumph had the Bloodshade Pack achieved that I had not already heard of? No victories had been won, no treaties signed, no heirs born. What could possibly merit a feast?

I left my desk ...