Chapter 70 : Don’t Ever Touch Me Again

*Ember*

I woke up in the dimly lit room, my body feeling heavy and lethargic. It had been a month since Alec’s death, a month Lukas had brought me back to the capitol, and every day seemed to stretch on endlessly, a monotonous cycle of despair and uncertainty. As much as I tried not to lose faith that I had done the right thing, there was no way to know for sure. Was Rhys still alive? Had Lukas already marched on Whitelark?

I heard from the maids and the guards who patrolled and talked probably more than they should that Lukas was losing his grip on Western Allusia. The last battle against Whitelark had shaken his once formidable forces and fractured them, and the packs were turning against him. As much as I should have been glad that he was losing power, I couldn’t find it in me to smile. Every night, it seemed like I heard Alec whispering his last words to me. I saw the way he jolted as the sword pushed through his chest. I could smell his blood. It at once kept me awake and lul