Not once did he acknowledge Ayla’s injury. Not a twitch of his nose. Not a flicker of concern. He clutched Lyra’s children like they were his own blood, while Ayla trembled in my arms, her breath shallow and rattling.

My heart ached.

I lifted Ayla gently, her small frame pressed to my chest, and stormed toward the Great Hall.

“Healer!” I shouted. “Is there a healer here? I need a medic now!”

Before I could reach the stairs, Damien blocked my path, flanked by two Betas.

“Selene, who do you think you are? Summoning the grand Healer for a bump on the head?”

He motioned to his guards. “Silence her. Take the child.”

Hands grabbed for Ayla. A cloth covered her mouth. Her eyes went wide with panic as her skin began to pale, then blue.

My wolf snapped.

I lunged and bit Damien hard on the shoulder, my teeth sinking through skin and muscle.

He roared, but I was already sprinting through the hall’s entrance, Ayla cradled tightly in my arms.

“Zane!” I shouted, spotting the Royal Healer across the chamber. “Zane! Help her—please!”

The music halted. Every head turned.

The Healer froze, eyes widening in disbelief. “Selene?”