-Caspian Grayson:
Everyone started leaving not long after the ceremony and also after watching Kyle officially become the head alpha of his pack.
It didn't happen all at once, but it also didn't feel gradual. It felt like a slow dispersing of weight—people stepping out of the ceremonial hall in small groups, voices low, movements careful, as if anything louder might break whatever fragile balance had just been created.
Some of them looked relieved just to be moving.
Others still looked like they hadn't fully processed what they had just witnessed.
But eventually, the room emptied enough that it no longer felt crowded with grief—only heavy with it.
My parents told me I should stay.
They didn't even have to explain why.
Dad just gave me a look that said enough on its own, and Pops—Pops didn't even hesitate. He just adjusted his coat slightly, glanced toward the direction Kyle had gone, and told me quietly to stay close.
To stay with him.
But even if they hadn't said it—
