"Despite the compromise," he started, his tone low and filled with the gravel of doubts hardening into certainty, "I can't shake this feeling... Can we truly trust Jason? After what happened to Paul, can we rely on the South Pack?"

His question hung between us, a specter of distrust that threatened to undo the fragile peace we'd stitched together so painstakingly. I felt the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders, heavier than the crown I bore.

"Markus," I began, my voice steady, ...