Freedom

Vinorca Jona POV “You were out the whole night?” I froze mid-step, the words cutting sharp in the hallway. My pulse hammered against my ears, and I had known this was coming—of course I had—but knowing didn’t make facing it any easier. “Alpha Dante waited for you all night with a cake.” The head maid’s voice rasped, rough with anger. I didn’t need to see her face to know she was livid. She’d never once been pleased with me since the day I arrived here. I kept my back to her. “I didn’t know he’d have a cake for me. I was at a group study with my friend.” The lie slid off my tongue with practiced ease, though the thought of Dante waiting with a cake—of all things—made it harder to believe even myself. He never did anything without a hidden purpose. I could never be certain what cruel game he planned for me, but if he wasn’t here, I had the chance to invent excuses. That wouldn’t be possible in his presence. The last thing I wanted was to give this woman more reason to crush me when I was