with the pack. Wolves lined the forest clearing, their heads bowed, their howls low and mournful. The ai

wollen, streaks of tears cutting through the dirt on her cheeks. She had cried herself raw the night befor

ds trembling from her lips, barely audible over the murmu

t, Hazel," she whispered softly, though even she struggled to hide the guilt etched a

No, Alessia... it's not you. It's me. H

her tears fall. "But... you have to understand, Hazel... your parents... Alpha Zan

the raw ache in her chest. Her grief was a living thing now, a shadow that seemed to move wit

. She dared not meet her eyes. Even Asher, young and strong, stood at her side like a living wall of judgm

whispered condolence was a knife. Every tear shed by the pac

draw attention. The Luna refused to even glance at her. Asher's scowl was constant, like a shadow that foll

tly, guiding her through the palace corridors. "It's g

ars slip through. "I... I can't believe he's gone," she whispered, her voi

t. He... he loved you, Hazel. And that... that's why he did

ead. "It's not fa

don't know... maybe it's not about fairness. Mayb

est ached, her heart ached, and even Alessia's war

ve this too. But the palace, once a place of fleeting warmth, had now turne

. It was about the hatred that had taken root

knew one thing for certain: noth