Later that day, as the sun began its descent toward the horizon, Darius was in his study organising an inquiry into Seraphina's murder.
Documents were spread across his desk: witness statements from guards, a timeline of events, and forensic reports from the pack doctor. He was deep in concentration when a knock sounded at his door.
"Come in," he called without looking up.
"Dad? What's going on? Why is everyone so tense?"
Darius's head snapped up at Nessa's voice. She stood in the doorway, looking genuinely confused and concerned, with a frown on her face
"Nessa? Where have you been?" He set down his pen. "How did you not hear about what happened last night?"
"What do you mean? What happened?"
"Seraphina was murdered in her cell. Someone… we believe it was Alia, but someone got past our security and killed her. The whole pack house was in an uproar. Guards were running everywhere, there was shouting... How could you have slept through all of that?"
