Elena's POV

I should have felt relief when I heard that the Lycan King was dead.

Safety.

Maybe even closure.

But instead, a strange emptiness spread through my chest. My fingers curled against my bandaged hand.

“Alpha,” I whispered — the old habit slipping out before I could stop it — “is it really just because of the Lycan King that life became like this? I mean, the whole issues I've had with the council, elders, even the pack. It's all because of him?”

Damien’s eyes ...