Chapter 111Nicolas POV

The pack house was full tonight, the hall alive with murmurs as wolves gathered for the monthly meeting. I moved through the sea of familiar faces, my jaw tight, my steps steady Every nod of acknowledgment I returned was hollow. The air pressed down on me like a weight, heavy with expectation.

Mirage sat toward the front, his posture graceful as always, and this time, that smirk he always wore was nowhere to be found. I could not bring myself to look directly at anyone. ...