Chapter 73

Alexander's POV I watched Summer's face drain of color as we stood in the hallway. The Council representatives had just left with Natalia, but whatever that witch had whispered to my mate had clearly devastated her. "Summer?" I gripped her shoulders gently, trying to bring her focus back to me. Her eyes seemed distant, lost in a nightmare I couldn't see. "Baby, talk to me. What did she say to you?" When she finally looked up at me, the raw pain in her eyes made my wolf snarl protectively. "She said..." Summer's voice trembled. "She said Felix didn't die from his illness. How could she know about him?" My blood ran cold. Felix was Summer's greatest wound, her deepest grief. For Natalia to weaponize that against her was beyond cruel. "Come here," I whispered, pulling Summer into my arms and guiding her away from the hallway where curious eyes might see her distress. I led her to my office and locked the door behind us. "Alexander," she said, her voice hollow as she sank into the leather