Desiree POV
I could not stay there any longer.
The laughter, the music, the endless congratulations that should have filled me with joy only made the uneasiness inside me worse, pressing against my chest until it became almost unbearable, so without another word to Avery, I turned and made my way through the crowd, my eyes searching desperately for the only people who could ground me.
I needed my mates.
I spotted Brandon first, standing a short distance away as he spoke with one of the elders, his posture composed, every inch the Alpha everyone respected, yet the moment his gaze lifted and met mine, something shifted instantly. His expression tightened with concern, and he excused himself without hesitation, closing the distance between us in long, purposeful strides.
“What’s wrong?”
