The door clicked shut behind Nova, the sound sharp in the sudden silence.
No one spoke for a long moment. The Alphas and Lunas at the long wooden table exchanged uneasy glances.
Ryder’s hand found mine under the table and squeezed once, steady and warm.
I took a slow breath and stood up again, even though my legs still felt shaky.
“I’m sorry for collapsing,” I said, my voice quiet but clear. “I think I was just tired. The day has been long.”
The words felt small, but I needed to say them. I didn’t want anyone thinking I was too weak to sit through a simple meeting.
Luna Freya rose from her seat without hesitation. She walked around the table and pulled me into a gentle hug. When she pulled back, she held my hands and looked me straight in the eyes.
“It’s going to be okay,” she said
