Desiree’s POV
The great hall felt a little different tonight after the announcement made by Ray's men. Usually, it was a place of us making gestures, and smiling at each other while we fed on ourselves, but with the news of the Elder Alpha's arrival…everyone was silent.
As if they were preparing for a storm.
Ray and Eloise had rushed ahead to the courtyard to meet with the procession, but Brandon, Zachary, and Grayson stayed back with me, making sure to be a shield, three points of triangle with me right in the center.
"Deep breaths, Des," Zachary whispered, nudging my shoulder with his. "You’re shaking."
"I'm not shaking," I lied, though my fingers were twisting the hem of my skirts so hard I was worried I’d rip them. "I'm just... ready. I want to know what he knows."
"He’s not
