|| Third Party POV ||

Then, with deliberate slowness, Coco began moving toward Agatha. Each step sent tremors through the earth, her black boots crushing fallen lilies beneath them.

"Yes... Mother," Coco murmured, her voice oddly flat.

Alaric tensed, his muscles coiling to spring - but Ezra's hand on his arm held him back. The royal beta's eyes were narrowed, his nostrils flaring as he studied Coco's posture. Something wasn't right.

Agatha's smile widened as Coco drew ...