Seren sat sprawled upon the chair in her chamber, her fingers drumming idly against the armrest. The crackling fire in the hearth threw restless shadows along the stone walls, dancing like specters eager for release. Her patience had been fraying all week, but now at last, a maid had just come in to inform her that her spy had returned from the Eastern Pack.
The man knelt before her, his cloak still damp with the evening fog. His voice trembled slightly when he spoke."My lady… I bring news. It is said the wolfless girl, Arin, has perished. The pack mates claimed revenge against her. It was done in the forest where she was taken and beaten almost to death.
A sharp intake of breath hissed between Seren's teeth, followed quickly by a grin that stretched too wide across her face. Her eyes glittered like shards of onyx, both delighted and sharp with suspicion."Arin… dead?" She leaned forward, her voice hushed, tasting the words as though they were the sweetest wine.
