Hailee's POV
My throat tightened. I could feel my pulse in my ears. I rose slowly from my seat, hands clasped before me. "Thank you, Elder," I said softly, forcing my voice to stay steady. "I… I know my actions have caused pain, not just to the men sitting before me, but to my children. But everything I did was to protect them. I was afraid. Afraid of losing them. Afraid of the truth destroying everything before it had a chance to heal."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, the Elder turned toward the Alphas.
"Alpha Nathan," he said. "You may speak."
Nathan stood slowly. Even after all these years, the sight of him stole my breath. His voice was calm, deep, controlled, yet filled with emotion.
"I will not stand here and condemn her," he began. "Hailee did what she thought was right. I may not agree with how she handled it, but I understand her fear."
