Kael Ashford, in a tailored silver-gray tunic that emphasized his height and lean build. Every strand of dark hair perfectly groomed. His eyes carried the sharp confidence of youth—edged with something lazier. Almost arrogant.
He held a leather-bound ledger in one hand.
"Alpha Blackthorn."
His voice was clear, all formality.
"Beta-Consort Frostveil asked me to deliver this season's tribute reward list for your seal."
He walked to my desk and set the ledger down.
No pleasantries. No move to withdraw. He simply stood there, waiting.
Posture perfect. But his gaze drifted past my face to the ancestral tapestries behind me, as if this were nothing more than a trivial errand.
I looked up at him.
He didn't flinch. He even smiled—a smile with something unreadable beneath it.
Normally, when Selene sent documents like this—or had her attendant bring them—I'd glance at the totals and press my signet ring to the page. She managed the pack stores and tribute flow. I'd always granted her that authority.
But today, I picked up the ledger. Opened it.