I ran a hand through my hair, the tension twisting in my chest like a vice. "But what would they gain from this?"

    The rooftop was quiet, save for the occasional gusts of wind swirling around us, carrying the night''s stillness along with an eerie chill.

    I held my head as questions crashed through my mind in waves. My chest was tight with the frustration of not knowing, of things that didn''t add up but were staring me in the face.

    Alpha stood beside me, her expression as composed as always, yet her eyes held an unspoken understanding of the turmoil I was in. After a pause, she reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder with a rare show of comfort.

    "It''ll be okay, Master," she said in her usual calm, matter-of-fact tone. "Don''t worry."

    I exhaled slowly, allowing the words to settle over me. After a moment, I straightened, nodding to reassure her—and myself. "I know," I replied. "It''s just... Athlea. She just lost her brother, like that." My voice faltered, thinking of the devastation I''d seen in her eyes, the hollow grief that had left her shattered.

    Alpha''s gaze remained steady, her tone as straightforward as always.

    "It''s hardly surprising, Master," she replied. "Given that he was working with a member of the Alliance."

    I let out a short, dry chuckle, unable to argue with her logic. "You''re right. It was only a matter of time," I agreed, my gaze drifting over the edge of the rooftop, toward the city lights stretching far below.

    A cold breeze swept across my face, bringing a strange calm. I closed my eyes, letting the wind tousle my hair as I took in a deep breath, trying to let go of the suffocating thoughts, even if just for a moment.

    "Master..." Alpha''s voice broke through the silence, drawing my attention back to her. She shifted slightly, her gaze sharpening. "There''s something else I want to update you on as well."

    I turned to her, an eyebrow raised. "Oh? What is it?"

    She hesitated, a rare thing for Alpha, before speaking. "It''s about Athlea''s husband. You asked us to gather information on him, right?"

    "Yes... Yes, I did," I replied, a flicker of realization cutting through the fog in my mind. I''d almost forgotten about that.

    Alpha''s gaze locked onto mine, her expression knowing, as if she''d come to the same conclusion.

    I took a deep breath, turning to face her fully, my voice unwavering. "We''re leaving for Latros right after Arno''s funeral tomorrow. Start the preparations."

    I didn''t need to say anything more. Alpha gave a low bow, her expression one of resolute determination. "Yes, Master," she replied, her voice steady as she vanished into the shadows, already taking steps to carry out my orders.

    With her gone, I turned my gaze down toward the hospital''s entrance, where Athlea was slowly making her way out, her shoulders slumped, every step heavy with sorrow. She looked as if she''d aged years in the past hour, her face pale and expression empty.

    I leapt down to meet her, catching her attention as she reached the side walk. "Hey, Athlea," I called softly.

    She looked up, her red-rimmed eyes meeting mine before she crumpled into my arms, burying her face in my chest as fresh tears fell. Her entire frame shook with the force of her sobs, and I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close as she let her grief spill out.

    I gently patted her head, murmuring words of comfort, though they felt hollow in the face of her pain.

    "It''s okay... I''m here," I whispered, leading her to a nearby bench and helping her sit down.

    She took shaky breaths, clinging to me as though I were her last anchor. Between sobs, her words tumbled out, broken and raw.

    "Where is he?" she choked out. "Why isn''t he here... when I need him?"

    "Who?" I asked softly, my brow furrowing as I tried to make sense of her words. "Athlea, who are you talking about?"

    She pulled back slightly, her face contorted with anguish, her voice rising in frustration and anger as she shouted,

    "My... my fucking husband!"

    The words echoed around us, raw and filled with betrayal, and her shoulders shook as tears streaked down her cheeks.