Chapter 162

The pack did not celebrate.

There was no relief, no applause, no sudden forgiveness in their eyes. Truth did not heal them. It exposed them.

By noon, word had spread beyond the inner grounds. Wolves whispered in corridors, stopped talking when Kaia passed, then bowed too late or not at all. Respect came mixed with unease now, the kind that keeps distance even when loyalty remains.

Caleb felt it like pressure against his ribs.

Authority was still his—but belief was ...