Evaline:
The mansion's kitchen was large and bustling, the air warm with heat and spice. Pots clanged, knives chopped against cutting boards, and the staff moved with quick efficiency, all immersed in their rhythm of preparing dinner.
But the instant River stepped in with me trailing behind him, the entire kitchen froze.
It was like someone had pressed pause.
Every pair of eyes darted toward us, then immediately lowered in respect as the air shifted with awareness. The cooks and maids bowed their heads, their movements stilling, even the sound of bubbling broth seemed quieter.
"Alpha," several voices murmured together.
I wasn't used to being the center of attention, but in that moment, I knew it wasn't me they were staring at... it was River, and then, briefly, me. Confusion passed through their faces, but none of them dared to speak it aloud.
