Lily was moving again before Vane's voice had even finished echoing through the house, sprinting back the way she'd come with Selena close behind, Richard struggling upright to follow despite his obvious injury. By the time they burst back out into the gardens, the battle had shifted entirely rogues and pack members alike had drawn back into a wary, watchful circle, all attention fixed on the scene unfolding at its center.
Vane stood near the fountain, one hand wrapped around Susan's arm, holding her upright though she was clearly dazed, a fresh cut visible along her hairline. Ethan stood a short distance away, chest heaving, every muscle in his body coiled with barely restrained fury, but his hands were empty, raised slightly in a gesture that made Lily's stomach drop with dawning horror
