Elisabeth's POV
The words slammed into my consciousness like a physical blow, refusing to settle into anything resembling sense. I found myself staring at Alana, desperately searching her face for some hint that this was all an elaborate joke. My pulse hammered against my throat, each beat more frantic than the last.
"What did you just say?" The question escaped as barely more than a breath, strangled by the disbelief that had wrapped itself around my vocal cords.
Alana rotated her phone toward me, revealing the damning article in all its malicious glory. Olive Farley's trademark sensationalism screamed from the screen in bold lettering designed to maximize devastation.
"Alpha King Jefferson Harding has been stripped of his wolf connection due to an ancient curse. This unprecedented weakness threatens not only his reign but the security of our entire realm against mounting external threats..."
