Inside the room, Claudia exhaled slowly, her hand drifting to the edge of the dresser to steady herself.
Willie's gaze remained fixed on the doorway long after Ravok disappeared from view.
"He's different," Willie said quietly but Claudia didn't hear him.
Ravok descended the staircase, one hand gliding along the banister.
The moment he appeared at the landing, the elders, seated in a rigid semicircle, bristled in shock as they quickly got to their feet.
"Does anyone have anything to do in Crestwood?" Ravok snarled. "Or is sitting a full time job."
The elders stiffened visibly. "Alpha…" they murmured in unison, bowing low, spines bending as one.
All except Delilah.
She moved toward him. Her fingers curled around his torso, pressing herself against him.
"I'm glad you are okay," she whispered against his chest.
Ravok simply looked down at her, eyes devoid of warmth. "You bow in the presence of your Alpha," he said.
