Chapter 23

Omniscient POV I shoved Isolde aside, walking briskly toward the door. Tears welled up in Isolde’s eyes, but she blinked them away, unwilling to show weakness. Even in death, Seraphina Lycoris still haunted her like a ghost, standing between her and Darius. The thought made Isolde sick, like she had swallowed a fly. But she had worked too hard to get this far. The position of Alpha Darius’s Luna was almost within her grasp—only one more step. She wouldn’t let anyone take Darius from her now. The night had grown late, and Darius, weary and worn, staggered home. He fumbled for his keys, pushing open the door with a sigh of exhaustion. "Stop right there!" A sharp, commanding voice cut through the air before he could take another step inside. What was she doing back here? He turned to find a middle-aged woman, still dignified in appearance, standing with her arms crossed. Her cold eyes locked onto him. "Mother? What are you doing here?" Darius's voic