Kora’s POV
The courtyard emptied slowly after the gathering. Wolves filtered back into their homes, murmuring to one another as they went. Some still cast glances over their shoulders at me, but it wasn’t the same as before. It wasn’t just suspicion anymore. It was something heavier, something that almost felt like recognition.
Edward stayed close to me as the crowd thinned. He didn’t say anything at first, just squeezed my hand and guided me back inside the compound. His grip was firm but not possessive—steady, anchoring.
“You did well,” he said once the doors shut behind us.
I let out a shaky breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “I thought I was going to faint up there.”
His lips curved faintly. “You didn’t. You stood. You spoke. They heard you.”
I wanted to believe him. “The
