Ava's POV
My wolf recoiled within me, dragging the memories of all I went through in prison too close.
Heavy silence pressed in.
“I may not understand the politics of your elite circles,” Emma added, her tone lower now but no less certain, “but I know what I see. Something is buried in this case.”
My heartbeat pounded in my ears.
“And it’s not what it seems.”
Her hand tightened around mine. “Please… don’t blame Ava.”
“Mrs. Hale…” My voice broke. Tears blurred my vision again, thick and sudden. I hadn’t expected this, not from her, not directed at him.
My wolf stirred, overwhelmed, torn between gratitude and fear.
Because I knew Anderson, knew what I looked like in his eyes. To him, I was guilty and unforgivable.
If this escalated… I would drag Emma and Dylan straight into the sto
