The formal dining room was as grand as ever, polished wood gleaming under the soft glow of the chandelier. Dinner had just started. Salads first. But room felt far quieter than it should have with five people present.
Alpha Emory sat at the head of the table, composed as always. To his left sat Seth, then Danielle. Across from her was Connor, who was apparently the only one engaging in conversation with Emory. The others were... quiet.
“So,” Emory said, his voice light in a way that always felt slightly too rehearsed. “Training seemed like it was going well this afternoon.”
“Went fine,” Connor said. “She’s improving fast.”
Danielle didn’t look up. She didn’t need to. She could feel Emory’s expectant glance, the way he was trying to make eye contact without making a scene.
“Good,” Emor
