When dinner finally came to an end, Rihaan rose from his chair.
At last, he could escape the suffocating atmosphere and return to the solitude of his room. He still hadn't recovered from the betrayal—nor did he believe he ever truly would. Trust, once broken, was not easily restored. Perhaps he would never be able to place it in another person again.
"Let me escort you," Soren said, standing as well, his gaze flicking briefly toward his parents.
"No, I can—"
Soren turned fully toward him, his expression firm, silently insisting on seeing him back to his room.
Although the alpha found it awkward, he couldn't refuse—not twice—especially with Soren's parents right there, glaring at him as though he had cast black magic on their beloved son.
As they walked down the corridor, Soren spoke first.
"Does your family know you're here, by the way? I forgot to ask last night, considering the state you arrived in…"
