Chapter 63. Shadows Beneath Joy

The Gamma quietly excused himself from the healer’s house. He gave one last polite smile to Damian and Ella, then turned and walked away, his steps calm—but his thoughts boiling with hatred.

As the door shut behind him, Lucian leaned closer to Damian.

“Alpha,” he said in a low voice, “I don’t trust him.”

Damian raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

“The Gamma,” Lucian replied. “There’s something off about him. The way he looked at Ella… it wasn’t joy. It was something else.”

Damian let out a light sigh and gave a small shake of his head. “Lucian… the man lost his daughter. And his wife’s barely holding on. Let’s not go looking for shadows in daylight.”

“But you saw what happened,” Lucian pressed gently. “The flicker in his eyes. He’s hiding something.”

Damian walked to Ella’s side and gently wrapped an arm around her waist, helping her sit more comfortably on the bed. “He fought bravely today, Lucian. He stood with us. After that, I don’t think he’s the