Celeste barely heard the door close behind the Blackmane envoy. The room buzzed with voices—Lisa and Logan arguing strategy, Hunter trying to call her name—but it all sounded muffled, like someone had stuffed cotton in her ears. She nodded at no one in particular, turned on her heel, and walked out before anyone could stop her.
The hallway was too quiet. Every step echoed louder than it should have. Celeste clenched her jaw, ignoring the concerned glance of a passing pack member. Another stepped forward like they might say something, then thought better of it.
She didn’t want concern, she wanted silence.
The weight in her chest had grown heavier, tighter, since Marissa’s stunt. Not the public claim. Not even the blood pact with Calder. It was the realization that every day she waited to
