Raisel’s POV

My head was spinning as I felt the weight of judgmental stares around me. Those looks—those whispers—brought back memories of my split with Alaric. The same unspoken accusation hung in the air: whore. It stung then, and it still stung now. I clenched my jaw, trying to shrug it off, when the sound of a door creaking open caught my attention.

“Gwen,” I exhaled, relief washing over me at the sight of her familiar, sympathetic expression. It was a breath of fresh air ...