Lycan’s POV
They were already turning on her. I saw it before a word was spoken. Before the accusations took shape. Before the room shifted.
It was in their eyes.
In the way they stood.
Too rigid.
Too alert.
Not cautious.
Not curious.
Afraid.
And fear…Fear was easy to use.
I stayed where I was.
At the edge of the room.
Not hidden.
Not announced.
Just… present.
Watching.
Always watching.
Kaelira stood in the center, exactly where they wanted her.
Surrounded.
Alone.
And still…She didn’t bow.
Didn’t soften.
Didn’t break.
That unsettled them more than anything else.
“She’s changed.”
The words came from one of the elders.
Low.
Careful.
But loud enough.
Enough to carry.
Enough to plant. I shifted my weight slightly, folding my arms as I leaned back against the stone
