---- Truth be told, she had only seen Beof once, when she was seventeen.


    From afar.


    He had been leaving on horseback just as her family arrived at the Nocturne pce for a visit.


    She hadnt seen his face up close.


    But she knew his scentit had been burned into her memory.


    That day, the wind had carried it straight to her as he rode away.


    She confirmed it with her wolf.


    He was her mate.


    She had been waiting until she came of age to go after him.


    Yet, thanks to her fathers overprotectiveness, she had reached twenty years old and still hadnt done anything about it.


    "T think the smartest thing to do is exactly what we discussed, Mara.


    You two need to meet and see if you actually like each other, " Nyx said rationally.


    "Lets n the meeting.


    I convinced Laziel to lend me one of his specters.


    Its been following Uncle Beof in silence." "Laziel agreed to this?!" Lavinia raised an eyebrow, highly skeptical.


    ---- Laziel was as mysteriousif not more sothan the Specter King, himself.


    A dangerously handsome man with sharp features, much like Ss.


    His dark hair contrasted with his golden eyes, bright as the sun.


    But if those golden irises turned ckyou better start running.


    Lavinia had always respected him.


    His dark magic was overwhelming, and, worst of all, the specters...


    those monstrous, untamed creatures, were like puppets in his hands "Well, I didnt give him too much of an exnation.


    And honestly, Amara, you owe me big time.


    Because of you, I now have to run errands for my insufferable triplet," Nyx said, amused by Amaras guilty expression.


    Thanks for throwing me under the carriage, sister.


    Did you forget who helped you?" Lyra scoffed, rolling her eyes.


    Those two were always at each others throats.


    But still, they loved each other.


    Even if they acted like cats and dogs.


    Lyra, do you want a medal for that?" Nyx quipped, arching a brow.


    "Girls, girls, lets stay focused," Victoria redirected the conversation before things got out of hand.


    "We''ve located Uncle Beof.


    Now we just need to separate him from the twins and bring him to where Amara will be waiting." That snapped them back into mission mode.


    And so, between strategy, yful jabs, and meticulous scheming, the ultimate and foolproof n was crafted.


    ---- Sure, the easy approach would be to just walk up to Beof and introduce Amara.


    But no.


    The thrill of choosing the most convoluted, dangerous, and unpredictable route was what made life exciting.


    With everything settled and each person assigned their role, the council was adjourned.


    They would spend the day together and, by nightfall, they would spring their trap on poor Beof.


    "Nyx, wait, can we talk for a moment?" Amara called at thest second, pulling the Selenia aside for a private conversation.