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“Griffin—”

“Where is Aria?” I demand again.

“At home. She has refused to leave ever since the connection with her wolf began to fade.”

The noble families reside in close quarters to the palace, an area cordoned off for shifter use only. Their mansions are magnificent works, but I am in no mood to admire anything.

As I enter Aria’s home, each step fuels the cold fury burning through my veins. I should have seen this sooner. Should have questioned the too-neat explanation of Helen’s death, the convenient timing of Maya’s departure.

The guards outside Aria’s chambers straighten up as we approach, then bow deeply.

“Leave us,” I command.

They hesitate, glancing toward the closed door.

“That was not a request,” I say softly.

They bow again and retreat down the corridor. I push the door open without knocking.

The room contains a canopy bed and a sitting area where Aria is currently lounging, looking upset. As soon as she sees me, she jumps to her feet, delight all over her face. “Griffin! You finally came!”

She rushes over to me, but the dour look on my face has her faltering. “W–What is it?”

“Your Majesty.” Elder Vane enters the room and bows to me. “We did not expect—”

“Leave us,” I tell him, my tone making it clear this is not optional.

“My daughter is unwell,” he protests. “She needs—”

“What she needs, ” I interrupt coldly, “is to answer for what she’s done.”

His brow furrows. “I don’t understand.”

“Then you may stay and hear her answers alongside me.”

Aria looks uneasy now. “What is it? Did the human refuse to help?”

“Her name,” I say quietly, dangerously, “is Dr. Maya Sorin. And she did refuse. Do you know why?”

Aria’s gaze slides away from mine, and she retreats to her bed, where she stretches out. “How would I know the mind of a human?”

“Because you deliberately sabotaged any chance of her return,” I answer. “You intercepted the message for me about her mother’s death. You told her I refused to come back. You ordered her belongings destroyed.”

“That’s absurd,” Elder Vane interjects. “My daughter would never—”

“Three witnesses,” I cut him off. “Three different palace staff members confirm it.”

Aria’s expression hardens, revealing the calculation beneath. “So what if I did? The death of one measly human shouldn’t have been significant enough to distract you from your royal duties.” Her lip curls in disdain. “I did what any shifter would have done.”

“Aria!” her father gasps, shocked.

“It’s true,” she insists, sitting up straighter. “And that scientist was nothing. A distraction. A pet you were oddly attached to. I helped remove an obstacle from your path.”

“An obstacle,” I repeat, my voice deadly quiet. “She was my fated mate.”

“She was human,” Aria spits out. “Unworthy of you. Unworthy of our kingdom.”

“And her mother’s death?” I press. “What do you know of that?”