The fire had dwindled to embers that flickered in the darkness, breathing tired air among shadows and heat. The office smelled of old wood, wine, and smoke; a mixture that felt both comforting and bitter at once.
Damian remained hunched over his desk, an untouched glass of wine to his right and a stack of scattered reports before him. His fingers drummed impatiently on the edge of the glass, while his mind reviewed the movements of the pack, the alliances, the new names that the Brothers of Shadow had brought to the castle... and, among all that, the image of his sister.
With a sigh, he straightened up. He walked to the fireplace, watched the embers flicker, and finally turned toward the door.
"Caleb." His voice was firm, not raised, but with enough authority to resonate between the walls.
The Beta appeared a few minutes later, still in his patrol uniform.
"Alpha."
"Call my sister," Damian ordered, without preamble. "Tell her I'm waiting for her here."
