CHAPTER TEN Serena’s POV

The air in Nightshade felt different that morning.

Heavy. Quiet.

Like the forest was holding its breath.

I felt it before I heard it, the whisper that crawled through the halls.

The Alpha’s mate has returned.

She carries his child.

The words sank into me like cold rain.

I stood at the far end of the corridor, my hands still wet from washing herbs in Lyra’s room. The bowl slipped from my grip and shattered on the stone floor.

Lyra jumped. ...