**Soren’s POV

Thomas was waiting for me, and I could tell by his expression that he had updates.

I walked into my office with him behind me. “What is it, Thomas?” I asked as I sat down at my desk.

“Two things,” he began. “First of all, Derek’s all taken care of,” he said. “I received word earlier today that he’s reached his final destination.”

I nodded. I expected nothing less from my people. “Good. What else?”

Thomas continued, “Secondly, we have confirmation that Ethan has arrived back in the capital.”

Where Madalynn was.

I could certainly use this to my advantage.

Thomas sat down across from me and said, “I believe there may be some other loose ends we need to tie up, though?”

Knowing exactly what he was talking about, I agreed. It was time for me to address a previous ally, one who needed to make sure he stayed in his lane.

Letting out a sigh of annoyance, I opened a desk drawer and found a piece of stationary, pulling it out and grabbing a fountain pen off of my desk.

“You’re not going to call him on the burner phone?” Thomas asked, clearly surprised by my choice of communication method.

I shook my head. “This is safer. I know everyone who will handle this. No chance of anyone interfering.”

With Thomas keeping his comments to himself, I began to write.

Once I was done, I folded the paper and gave it to Thomas. “You will see that this reaches him? I want to ensure that no one else has the opportunity to read it.”

“Of course, sir,” Thomas said, tucking the envelope into the inside pocket of his jacket.

“So it sounds like you also have a third piece of news?”

“Yes, regarding Miss Rosalie’s mother.”

Thomas’s last report greatly intrigued my interest. “I’m listening.”

“Based on the preliminary report, she might be the last survivor of the…” he leaned over and murmured the last name in my

ear.

My eyes widened, and the room was silent for a few moments.

Then I couldn’t help but start laughing.

The Moon Goddess was on my side this time.

“Thank you, Thomas. Great news! Let’s head back,” I suggested, slamming my hands down on the table in finality before ! stood up.

It wasn’t a long drive to Rosalie’s. The whole way over, I anticipated seeing her face.

She had been very nice to me lately, and even though I was still fearful she might leave, I was also beginning to think that she might be able to see a future with me.

When we arrived, I headed to the door, but Thomas stayed outside with the guards. I knocked and waited, finding myself restless, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.

Rosalie opened the door, her skin slightly flushed, breathing a little hard like she’d been exercising or something.

I was immediately concerned.

“Hi, Ro. Are you okay?” I asked her.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” she said. “Just moving around is getting harder,” she said, laughing, but it was clear that she was bothered.

I wasn’t sure if that was all that it was. Her eyes looked a bit red and puffy, like perhaps she had been crying.

| gently grabbed her arm to stabilize her. “Walk carefully, watch your step.”

“Thank you, Soren,” she grinned at me with appreciation:

Once we got inside, I helped her sit down in her chair and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. Before she could pull away, I crouched down so our eyes were at the same level, “I have something for you.copy right hot novel pub