Chapter 31

The estate felt bigger these days, its halls colder, its rooms quieter. Althea had always felt out of place here, like she was a guest rather than someone who belonged, but now that feeling had taken root and grown into something suffocating. Everywhere she went, she saw reminders of her inadequacies: pack members training in the yard, their movements sharp and confident; the subtle, pitying looks from others as she passed by; and of course, the whispers. Her thoughts drifted to Kaden, to the way he had looked at her the last time they’d spoken: his silver eyes filled with something she couldn’t quite place. Was it frustration? Concern? Pity? Her stomach twisted at the thought. He hadn’t come after her that night, after Bianca had left. He hadn’t said anything to her since. And why would he? Maybe he didn’t know what to say. Or worse: maybe he didn’t think it was worth saying anything at all. Kaden’s voice, too, echoing over and over in her head: “Althea is my mate. Don’t question me a