The Alpha’s Palace was nothing like the quarters Selene had imagined.

It wasn’t golden or lavish like the Ardent estate. It was dark, elegant, almost alive. Every wall breathed silence, as if the air itself bowed before Kaelen.

The corridors were carved from obsidian stone, lined with silver sconces that burned blue fire instead of gold. The flames cast strange shadows, twisting like spirits that whispered through the halls.

Selene’s footsteps echoed faintly as Kaelen led her through ...