The room fell silent, tension thickening the air. Maison shifted subtly closer to me, his presence a steady anchor at my side.
Elder Miriam's expression grew solemn. "What they did was unforgivable, Alpha. Many of us failed you then. We cannot change the past, but we are here now offering our loyalty for the future."
"Loyalty," I echoed, the word hollow on my tongue. "Where was that loyalty when Dominick murdered my parents? When did he exile a child?"
"We were afraid," Caleb spoke up, his weathered face lined with regret. "Dominick eliminated anyone who questioned him. Those of us who survived learned to hide our true allegiance."
"And now that I've won, you're suddenly brave again," I observed, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice.
Robert stepped forward, his gaze finally mee
