The court fell silent again, no one daring to meet his eyes.

At that moment, the door creaked open. A young servant stumbled in and dropped to his knees, forehead pressed to the floor.

"My lord-"

"What is it?" Haspan snapped.

The boy held up a sealed parchment with trembling hands. "A letter, sire... from Lucian Speare. He requests that you honor the Alpha Academy with your presence in two nights."Haspan's gaze froze.

For a heartbeat, he said nothing.

Then, ...