Lorraine's POV
I stared, stunned.
Alistair Ashthorne?
Of all the people I expected to step between me and a pack of bloodthirsty elites, his name wasn't even a whisper in the back of my mind.
But it was him.
It was definitely him.
I would recognize that face anywhere, sharp-jawed, cold-eyed, effortlessly arrogant. His presence used to command entire rooms. Once, the elite bowed when he passed, and every word him and his sister spoke felt like a decree.
But that was before everything shattered.
Before him and his father tried to kill Kieran.
Before he kidnapped me and used me as bait in his desperate attempt to flee the academy
Before he drove a blade through his own father's heart to save himself from the Alpha King's wrath.
No one had truly seen or spoken to him since then.
It was like he'd disappeared into the shadows.
Until now.
