Faye's POV
The air in the tent felt suffocating as Hardy's voice cut through the silence like a blade dipped in venom. "How fascinating," he drawled, settling back in his chair with the lazy confidence of a predator toying with prey. "The great Alpha abandons his warriors to the Raven Deons just to check on family matters."
My father's jaw tightened, but Hardy wasn't finished.
"Tell me, Alpha Rowan, are your men screaming your name as they bleed out beyond that ridge? Or have you forgotten they exist?"
"My lord," Father began, his voice strained with barely controlled anger.
"Your consort is alive," Hardy interrupted, each word sharp and deliberate. "Though I wonder if that disappoints you. Shouldn't a true leader be more concerned with the enemy tearing through his territory than playing the devoted father?"
