CIAN
"Oh!" That came from the depths of Isobel's soul.
Genuine shock, not polite surprise. It was as if she couldn't believe Fia had been treated with any respect at all. Hazel stepped in quickly, trying to soften the moment with effort that almost sounded like pleading. "What my mom meant was… may we see her?" Her voice broke, trembling in a way that suggested she had rehearsed the question a hundred times but still wasn't ready for the answer. "Please. Just for a few minutes. I need to look my sister in the eye and know she's truly alright."
It was a reasonable request. More than reasonable. Any Alpha with a beating heart would understand that. What kind of leader denied a sister the simple dignity of seeing her own blood?
But through the bond, Fia's fear kept growing. Kept pulsing. It was getting stronger. More desperate. Like she was actively panicking somewhere in this house.
My wolf stirred. Uncomfortable. Confused. Protect mate, it said. Mate in danger.
