Tharion leaned back, arms crossed, his smirk practically radiating arrogance. "Mother needs me and my mate at the Capitol."
His voice was smooth, but the way he enunciated my mate was deliberate—sharp enough to make Zorath's eye twitch.
Zorath's entire expression darkened. His easygoing demeanor evaporated, replaced by barely restrained irritation.
"What?" His voice dripped with disbelief, but underneath, there was something dangerously close to fury.
He clenched his jaw, fingers twitching with the temptation to wipe that smug look off Tharion's face.
Tharion hummed as if deep in thought. "Hmm. Maybe I should say it slower so you can process it?" He tilted his head in fake sympathy.
"Mother specifically requested the presence of me and my perfect female." His smile widened, blindingly insincere.
The words echoed through the clearing. Students and healers—who had just started to relax after the chaos—paused, eyes flicking toward them.
