Chapter 31

• Astor's steely eyes bore into mine, challenging, daring me to look away. But I held his gaze, my jaw clenched and shoulders squared. The air crackled with tension as we faced off in silent combat.
• Seconds stretched into an eternity. My heart pounded, but I refused to show weakness. Finally, Astor's eyes flickered downward and he dipped his head in a reluctant bow.
• "That's how a Luna should talk," he muttered, a hint of grudging respect in his gruff voice.