Dravina POV

Ysolde led me to the dining room, but my stomach sank the moment I saw the table. Alpha Malrik was absent, and so was the man who had been with him the night before. Instead, seated and already halfway into their meal, were Gamma Ashuriel, Malrik’s aunt, and Zenovia.

I tamped down the urge to ask where Malrik was. Curiosity especially from someone like me would be seen as either overstepping or presumptuous. After the strained exchange at last night’s dinner, I knew better ...