Draven.
A soft knock sounded on the door. Three light taps.
"Enter," I called.
Xamira's nanny, Dorothy, poked her head in. "Alpha, forgive me for the interruption. Xamira is asking if she can show you her drawing."
I nodded once, a calm smile growing on my lips. "Send her in."
The door opened wider, and Xamira skipped in, clutching a bundle of papers to her chest. Her smile was small but present, familiar enough not to trigger alarm.
"Come here," I said, returning to my seat.
My little pumpkin was just the perfect opportunity to get away from Rhovan and the silly thoughts he was forcing into my head.
Xamira walked over and held out a page. I took it carefully.
It was a drawing—crude but vibrant. Crayons smeared across the parchment, forming a garden with stick-figured wolves and a small girl with white hair.
"You drew this?" I asked.
She nodded, but her smile didn't reach her eyes.
I studied her face more carefully now. There was something… off.
Too quiet. Too still.
