A venomous hiss escaped Keir's lips, the words slicing through Randall like a whetted blade, "Where is the Alpha who ruled with wisdom and authority?" he spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "I see no trace of him. All I see now is a little pawn, a puppet dancing on strings pulled by a manipulative hand!"
Keir's words were exposing the truth Randall had desperately tried to ignore. He wasn't the Alpha he once was, the leader who navigated challenges with a steady hand and an unbiased heart.
"Our mate lost her wolf. I couldn't feel her anymore. But did you as much as notice it? Of course not. You've been too busy with someone inconsequential! Tell me, Randall," he sneered, "why don't you feel the spark you're supposed to feel after being bound to your precious mistress?"
A wave of frustration washed over Randall. "Are you blind, Keir?" he roared, "Yesterday's ceremony was a tragedy! It is enough to make anyone unhappy. I lost an old friend! Our friendship died along with his daughte
