Chapter 84

Ethan's shoulders sagged as he watched Nora storm out of the chamber, the door's echo fading into an uncomfortable silence. He sighed heavily, his eyes closing as if trying to shut out the turmoil that had just unfolded.

His chest felt heavy, weighed down by the conflict and the knowledge that his relationship with his sister had just been irreparably damaged. He had chosen Layla, his mate, over Nora's demands and manipulations, but at what cost?

The chamber, once a symbol of his power and leadership, now felt suffocating, the shadows cast by the torches seeming to close in on him like a trap. Ethan's mind raced with thoughts of the future, wondering if he had made a grave mistake if he had sacrificed a piece of his family for his love for Layla.

The silence was oppressive, a reminder that the consequences of his choice would linger, a constant reminder of the rift between him and his sister. Ethan's sigh was a heavy one, a resignation to the fact that things would never