Chapter 64 – Bruised Palms, Bruised Pride

“She’s the reason Alpha Cove dissolved the Silverstone alliance—and his contract marriage with Morrigana,” one maid whispered, the clatter of plates muffling her disgust.

“Imagine,” another scoffed. “Ending a political bond for a thief. Morrigana is from a rich and powerful Lycan family. She was practically bred for power. And now? He’s breaking every rule... for her?”

Lycia said nothing. Her fingers gripped the tray of used dishes tighter. Her muscles were tense beneath her plain sleeves as she walked steadily down the corridor, each word from the gossiping staff like an arrow to the chest.

She was nearly at the corner when she turned too fast—and slammed into a body.

The tray of dishes she held fell.

Crack.

Porcelain shattered at her feet. A small bowl of leftover stew splashed across the polished marble. She gasped, dropping to her knees without thinking, already trying to gather the shards.

But she moved too fast.

Her palm slid on the wet floor and she lost her balance wi