The silence in the room was a heavy blanket, suffocating the couples gathered. Each pair eyed the other, a silent challenge in their gazes. Ralph's landing, a soft thud, was a welcome disruption, puncturing the thick awkwardness that had settled over them. Yet, for all his usual impact, Ralph's presence failed to faze Dorianna. Her piercing gaze was locked, unyielding, on one person alone: Selene, the daughter of the Dark King.
Selene, in turn, regarded Dorianna with an intense, unvarnished curiosity. Thanks to Isolde, Selene now knew Dorianna's identity: Alpha Zephyr's younger sister, and Blaize's immediate elder. Dorianna, observing Selene, noted the striking resemblance to the Luna – the same sharp, captivating grey eyes. Selene's eyes then drifted to the woman beside Dorianna, who was returning Selene's scrutiny with an equally profound intensity. This was Raula.
