Silence consumed the eastern hall.
"The Moon Wolf has awakened. The empire will fall."
The servant's voice still echoed faintly against the marble walls, but no one moved. Even the northern wolves had gone completely still.
Selene watched the reactions around her carefully.
The duke looked grim.
Freya's expression had sharpened into something dangerously alert.
And Kael--
Kael looked furious.
Not emotional fury or panic. The cold, murderous kind that belonged to men who immediately began calculating how many people needed to die.
Selene leaned lightly against the table, her pulse finally stabilizing after the strange reaction with Kael moments earlier.
"Well," she said calmly, "someone certainly enjoys dramatic announcements."
The servant looked horrified that she sounded amused.
Freya, however, glanced at Selene with the faintest flicker of approval.
Kael turned toward the trembling messenger. "Explain everything."
