Queen

Axle and Eve left a week later, but Alina barely acknowledged their absence. After her initial meltdown, she closed up again, and when no one could make her communicate, the palace staff adjusted, and life moved on. Sam stuck to her side like glue, volunteering to leave his old life behind when Axle announced his intentions to go, and he often wondered how the bear shifter could desert his friend in her time of need.

The King grew old before Sam's eyes, Alina's refusal to speak affecting Elijah so much he withdrew from public engagements altogether, and if the maids' gossip line was trustworthy, he rarely left his bed anymore either. So, eventually, the council stepped in. Sam was down in the garden, watching Alina staring into the water feature when they arrived. Six figures stepped out of the dark limousine, a representative for each significant pack, and they entered the castle at a brisk walk, ignoring the beta who'd graciously come to greet them.

It didn't take