(Audrey's POV)
Sarah's eyes were fixed on mine, filled with a strange mixture of determination and hesitation. The tablet with the news of Arthur and Emma's upcoming mate marking ceremony lay forgotten between us. Something in her expression made me nervous.
"There's something you need to know, Audrey," she said, her voice unusually solemn. "Something I should have told you a long time ago."
A heavy weight settled in my chest. I'd never seen Sarah look so serious before. Her wolf presence was tense, as if preparing for something difficult.
"What is it?" I asked, straightening despite the pain from my silver burns.
Sarah took a deep breath. "It's about Arthur... and you."
The way she said it made me feel like something fundamental was about to be destroyed. I braced myself, my wolf stirring anxiously within me.
"I'm ready. Tell me," I said, trying to sound stronger than I felt.
Sarah's fingers twisted nervously around each other. Then, as if unable to contain it any longer, she
