Celeste moved easily through the crowd, her every step graceful, her posture light with confidence. Kaiden walked beside her, clutching her hand, unaware of the storm beneath the surface. She stopped before me, eyes gleaming with rehearsed sorrow.
"It must be awfully quiet in your den without little Caia around," she said, her tone falsely sweet, laced with insincerity. "I can’t even begin to understand the pain you must feel… having your daughter taken like that. I do hope she's adjusting well with the Blood Moon Pack."
My fists clenched at my sides, nails digging so hard into my palms I nearly drew blood. My wolf was restless, pacing beneath my skin, snarling for release. But I kept still, holding myself together by threads.
Seeing that I hadn’t responded, she straightened, then clapped her hands to draw attention.
“Everyone, may I have a moment?” Her voice rang clear and sugary. “Let’s honor our Luna tonight! Because of her incredible sacrifice, we now stand safe and protected. Her daughter’s absence was not in vain—it was the act of a true leader, of a mother who placed the pack before herself.”