I stared at the closed door, unsure how Morana might react if she saw me. She rarely seemed pleased by my presence.
I looked at the flowers still cradled carefully in my hand, they suddenly felt oddly heavy for their size.
The others had already left, leaving just Ayla, Leif, Rolf and me standing here.
I exhaled slowly and knocked. There was no response. I tried again, yet nothing. Deep down, I wasn't surprised by the silence.
"I can hear her moving," Rolf murmured beside me. "Do you want me to mind link her, let her know we're here?"
I shook my head. "No. If she wants to be alone, we need to respect that. I don't want to force myself on her."
I turned to Ayla, who was staring at the door with a concerned frown. I held out the flowers. "Could you give these to the Omega who looks after her?"
Ayla nodded and took the flowers. "Of course, Luna." She bowed slightly before heading off down the corridor.
With a sigh, I turned to Rolf and Leif. "Come on. Let's go."
The two men flanked me again as we moved deeper into the castle, the corridors growing more elaborate as we neared the wing reserved for the family of the Beta.
The hallway outside Beta's chambers was unusually still, as if even the castle itself was mourning.
I knocked softly on the door to Gyda's chambers, half-expecting this one to stay closed as well. But to my surprise, the door opened almost at once, and Mallory's familiar face appeared on the other side.
She looked pale, her eyes swollen and red, her shoulders slumped in a way that reminded me of how I had felt this past week, like the weight of grief was too heavy to bear. But the moment her gaze met mine, something shifted. Her expression softened, and the corners of her mouth pulled into the faintest smile.
"Luna," she said, bowing her head slightly. "I'm so glad you came. Please, come in."
I stepped inside and reached for her hand. "I'm so sorry, Mallory. For your father and for your brother."
Mallory's lips quivered, and then without warning, she pulled me into a fierce embrace. Her grip was almost painful, but I didn't pull away. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tightly as I let her grief pour into my skin.
"I'm sorry about your father too," she murmured against my shoulder, and I felt the sting of tears in my own eyes. I didn't brush them away. There was no need to hide them here—not with someone who understood loss so intimately. We stood there for a moment in shared sorrow, two daughters bound by the same cruel loss, before she pulled away and wiped her cheeks.
"My mother is in the salon," she murmured.
I nodded and followed her.
"She hasn't said a word since we got the news," Mallory continued as we walked. "Seth's too young to understand. He keeps asking for her, wanting to be held. But she just sits there. I'm lucky if I can get her to eat a spoonful of soup."
As we entered the salon, a familiar wave of memories struck me. Remembering how I enjoyed a cup of tea here with Gyda as she introduced me to Mallory. I had admired the beauty of the room, yet now it felt oppressive, thick with sorrow.
The room was packed. All of Gyda's children were present.
Brielle, who had beamed during the Full Moon Ceremony, now sat with her hands clenched tightly in her lap, staring blankly into the room. Her glow had faded, replaced by the dull expression of someone who had cried for far too long.

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Shifters - The King of Wolves - Book 1
FantasyShortlisted for the Wattys 2025! Living in a human town, Esmara has little knowledge of the seven kinds of shifters who rule the world outside of her safe walls. The horrific rumours and tales she hears from visiting travellers are enough to keep he...