Jake's POV
At first, I ignored it.
The flickers of hesitation. The slight pauses before my wolves responded to Annabelle.
The stolen glances. The clipped words.
Subtle. Controlled.
But there.
And the longer I watched, the harder it became to pretend I wasn’t seeing it.
It wasn’t outright disrespect.
No one was foolish enough to openly challenge my mate.
But I knew my pack.
I knew how they operated.
And they were beginning to doubt her.
The first time I heard it, it was nothing more than a whisper.
I had been passing through the east wing when two warriors were speaking in hushed voices near the sparring grounds.
I wouldn’t have paid attention,until I caught her name.
“…too much influence over him already.”
I stopped.
My wolf growled low, pressing against my skin.
I clenc
