Selene woke to an empty bed. The morning air was cold, and the silence inside the Alpha’s palace was too thick for comfort. She stretched, eyes scanning the space Kaelen had occupied the night before. The sheets were neatly folded; not a trace of him remained, not even his scent. It was as if he hadn’t slept there at all.

A quiet knock came on the door.

“His Grace asked me to inform you,” the servant said timidly, eyes low, “that he has gone to the main palace. He will be busy all ...