AUTHOR POINT OF VIEW

The room felt heavy the moment everyone gathered.

Kayla stood near the window, her arms wrapped around herself. Dante was close, not touching her, but ready to support if anything goes wrong. Xavier leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his face unreadable. Aiden stood quietly beside him. Maddie remained in the shadows, her presence alone enough to make the air tense.

Lucien stood apart from all of them.

Zuko stood at the center of the room, Alpha presence thick and ...