Damien
The moment her eyes met mine across the chamber, I felt it. Not anger or fear. Something worse.
Disappointment.
Ayla looked at me like she didn’t recognize what I’d become. Like I had just proven her worst fears right. The chaos from the vote hadn’t yet died down. Alphas roared. Voices clashed. Chairs scraped and bodies surged forward. And still, her gaze didn’t leave mine.
And I couldn’t look away.
When prince Tobias leapt into the stands and caught Lila before she hit the floor, I didn’t move. I couldn’t. I stood rooted in place, the weight of what I’d done pressing into my spine like a blade.
I voted yes.
Because I thought it was the only way to protect Stormwatch. To keep Ayla and my people safe and I had been wrong.
King Wren returned to the chamber shortly after Prince
