Ivy pov

Bloodmoon held itself still after Elder Thane’s declaration. Wolves stood in loose circles, not sure where they belonged anymore. No orders were given. No lines were drawn. For the first time since I arrived here, the pack was not moving as one body.

And I knew I could not fix that.

This was not a moment for power. It was not even a moment for speech to the crowd. It was a moment for listening.

I took Rick’s hand. He was quiet, watching everything with too much focus for a child ...