He was older than Ronan, yes—but far from old. The atmosphere shifted with his arrival, the weight of his presence sucking the air from the room.
Those violet eyes—icy and devoid of warmth—seemed to peer directly into my soul. My wolf whimpered, instinctively recoiling from the immense, dangerous energy radiating off of him.
He was hauntingly beautiful.
Terrifyingly so.
Long, silver hair neatly pulled back. A sleek black coat and matching tie that clung perfectly to his tall, elegant build. And when he smiled… it was a smile that could convince even the most stubborn heart to surrender everything.
Grace cloaked in menace.
“Selene Soltren,” he said, voice like polished glass.
I kept myself composed as he sat across from me.
The butler returned, laying out tea and pastries, but I had no appetite to even glance at them.
“I’ve read your letter,” Aldric began, reclining slightly, one leg resting over the other. His fingers tapped a slow rhythm on the chair’s armrest. “Are you prepared to follow through on the arrangement?”
I didn’t flinch.
“Yes. I am.”
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “And what exactly do you seek in return?”
“The truth,” I answered firmly. “And justice.”