The Heart of the Pack
Still, nobody moved.
The room went silent.
My eyes swept over the crowd, taking in their faces—some expectant, others skeptical, and a few outright hostile. This wasn’t going to be easy. But it had to happen. I would make it happen.
Finally, Hestia, one of the more senior women, stepped toward me, her voice a low whisper. "This isn’t how things are done," she said, her tone laced with concern. "You don’t want to get into trouble."
She flicked a glance at my two protectors, neither of whom were paying attention to our conversation. If anything, Jasper seemed to find amusement in the unfolding situation, his lips twitching in an almost knowing smile. They were used to me pushing boundaries. This, though... this was a new step.
I met her gaze without flinching,
