The sun had already dipped past its zenith, bathing the Blood Moon Pack's stronghold in a lazy afternoon glow. Inside his private office, however, the air felt heavier — dense with thoughts, plans, and the weight of tomorrow's war.
Aldus sat behind his large oak desk, elbows resting on the polished surface as his fingers steepled beneath his chin. The documents in front of him lay forgotten, his eyes fixed instead on the empty fireplace across the room.
No matter how many times he replayed yesterday's trial in his mind, the bitterness didn't fade. Lies, carefully woven and masterfully delivered, had poisoned the air of the hall.
Each false testimony was another blade driven into Livia's name, and he — the Lycan King — could only sit and watch.
Tomorrow, that would change. Everything will change for sure.
The sudden creak of the heavy door broke the silence. Aldus didn't need to look up to know who it was. Only two people dared enter his office without knocking.
