And there—
Behind the massive desk, illuminated by the low golden light of the room—
Sat King William Adama.
Waiting.
“Finally,” the king said, his voice calm, but laced with something sharper beneath as his eyes locked onto Caleb immediately, scanning him, assessing him in a way that made it clear he had already been thinking long and hard before this meeting.
“You are here.”
Caleb inclined his head slightly. “Father.”
But the king did not return the gesture.
Instead, his gaze narrowed ever so slightly, suspicion flickering across his features as he leaned back in his chair.
“I raised you better than to ignore your mate,” King William continued, his tone measured, but pointed enough to carry weight.
The words landed deliberately.
Caleb felt it.
Still—
He did not react impulsi
