For a long moment, no one said a single word. Then, Seven's gaze slowly drifted back to Ruri.
Her shoulders were trembling. She had lowered her head, but he could still see the deep crimson staining her cheeks as she struggled to keep herself from crying again. His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. The leather creaked beneath the pressure. His knuckles turned white. He drew in a slow breath, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Alpha Hades…" Seven's voice was steady. "Of the Hades Pack?" His brows knitted together. "Why would she be betrothed to him?"
Rodrigo didn't answer immediately. His gaze lingered somewhere beyond the courtyard, his thoughts piecing together everything Eloise had told him that night. Then he looked at Ruri. "Did your parents ever mention him before tonight?"
Ruri shook her head. "No." Her voice was barely audible. "This is the first time I've ever heard them talk about him." She swallowed hard. "I didn't even know my parents knew him."
