Paul's pov
I could feel my heart clench when I saw Pecan clinging to Liam. She was sobbing quietly, her small frame trembling in his arms. Her pain was palpable, and I wanted nothing more than to rush over, take her from him, and make things right. But I couldn't. It wasn't my place anymore. I had chosen my Luna, my queen, and Pecan deserved better than to be an afterthought in my life.
Still, the sight of her with Liam burned. I clenched my fists at my sides and forced myself to look away, trying to focus on the task at hand. The bears had been dealt with, the chaos subdued, and everyone was preparing to leave. But the air was thick with unspoken words, regrets, and tensions.
Nobody wanted to spend another night in this cursed area. Packs were gathering their members, checking injuries, and organizing departures. I made it a point to oversee the process, ensuring everyone was accounted for. But even as I went through the motions, my mind kept drifting back to Pecan.
