(Olivia's POV)
The tension in the air was tangible as the community meeting progressed, a mix of murmurs and bated breaths filling the grand hall. I stood at the head of the table, calmly presenting my plan for improving security measures along the forest's southern border. My wolves listened attentively, their instincts attuned to the increasing dangers from rogue attacks in neighboring territories. To any outsider, this would seem like a routine meeting, but I wasn't fooled. My pack's leadership felt like it was hanging by a thread, and the one person who should have been at my side was the source of the instability.
Dominic sat on my left, quiet and withdrawn, his arms crossed over his chest. He radiated tension, his forehead creased as though even this simple meeting required immense
