"I didn't push her. She fell on her own," I said quietly, the lie sitting heavy on my tongue like ash I would never be allowed to spit out. Around me, the memory of last night still lingered in the pack's collective judgment, like unseen eyes marking me as unstable, dangerous, unworthy.
Francis was silent for a moment on the other end of the call, his presence steady in my ears like an elder wolf assessing truth through instinct rather than accusation. When he finally spoke, his voice softened.
"Alright. I trust you," he said. "No one was harmed, and that is what matters. Just don't let yourself be dragged into this kind of chaos again."
A quiet breath left me, one I hadn't realized I was holding. "Thanks, Dad," I replied, forcing my tone to stay steady.
