Chapter 77

Maeve’s POV

I stood rooted to the spot, eyes locked on the bold letters painted across the castle walls: The Tenebris Pack. My heart pounded, confusion washing over me. Why was I here? Nothing made sense. More than ever, I needed answers. Who were these people, really? And why had the man I’d always known as my father never been anywhere in my life?

The blue flames that had danced around me flickered out without warning. I drew a steadying breath and crossed the threshold into the castle. The great hall sprawled before me. At the far end, I heard a sudden clamor. Curious and wary, I followed the golden corridor toward the noise. As I walked, I caught glimpses of a child—my younger self—darting down the passage, laughter echoing behind her.

A sharp pang of nostalgia stabbed me. I remembered racing through these corridors too, long ago. Soon I entered the vast dining court, where dozens of people sat clustered around long wooden tables, their voices rising and