A FEW HOURS BEFORE
The wind outside Alpha Hunter's stronghold had stilled, the night sinking into a graveyard silence.
Shadows coiled around the iron-stone towers like serpents, and even the wolves who usually patrolled the grounds walked with unease, their instincts whispering of something… wrong.
In the highest chamber of the eastern wing, the one barred from inside, the one cloaked from the outside world .
It was here Jasmine had finally managed to sleep.
Her hair sprawled in waves across the pillow, dark curls damp with sweat.
One arm cradled her slightly swollen belly, the other curled over her chest like a shield.
Her child kicked lightly under her palm, a quiet thump-thump-thump as though sensing the air had changed.
And it had.
For the shadows had bent.
And someone was already in the room.
Princess Chery stood by the window, her tall figure cloaked in night-black silk that shimmered faintly even in the dim moonlight.
