Chapter 143

The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the wide windows of my bedroom, painting the soft beige walls with streaks of gold and amber. The loft was always alive with light at this time of day, but here, in my room, it felt warmer, quieter—a perfect contrast to the tension that hummed just beneath the surface.

Andra was perched on the edge of my bed, her petite frame barely making a dent in the plush comforter as she sifted through an array of jewelry spread out before her. Her perfect bob swayed as she turned to hold up a pair of earrings, narrowing her eyes critically before tossing them back into the pile.

“These,” she said, picking up a different set of delicate drops of silver and garnet. “They’re perfect. Sophisticated, striking, and just subtle enough to keep the wolves guessing.”

I chuckled from where I stood in front of the full-length mirror, smoothing my gown over my hips. The rich crimson fabric shimmered in the fading light, the embroidered silver t