Paul's pov
The pack meeting hall was buzzing with tension even before it began. A sense of unease prickled at the edges of my senses as I took my place at the head of the room. The usual chatter and laughter were muted, replaced by whispers that danced just out of reach. I scanned the room, catching snippets of conversations. My eyes inevitably landed on Pecan, standing near the back of the hall.
She didn't look at ease; she never did at these meetings. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her gaze fixed on a point just above everyone's heads. It was her way of shutting out the murmurs, but I knew she could feel them,hear them. The pack's disapproval of her was palpable.
"Let's get started," I called, my voice cutting through the murmurs. The room quieted, but the tension only thickened.
Before I could outline the agenda, Stella's voice rang out. "Why is she even here?"
