Bella froze for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. Her agitation, which had only just begun to settle, surged again. She exchanged a brief glance with Asher, who immediately took her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. Despite the silent tension coursing between them, Bella nodded and followed Markus, accompanied by her mate and in-laws, Azriel and Lora.
As they entered Markus’s expansive office, the heavy oak door clicked shut behind them. Queen Kaia appeared shortly after, her presence regal yet understated. Azriel regarded his old friend with a concerned expression, noting Markus’s conflicted demeanor.
"What is it, Markus?" Azriel asked, his tone measured but wary.
Markus’s sharp eyes swept over the room, lingering on Bella for a moment before shifting back to Azriel. He let
