The grand dining hall of the Avila mansion was meant to be a place of celebration. Instead, it felt heavy with unspoken judgment.
Claire sat beside Xander at the long oak table, her hand resting lightly on Alex Jr.’s chair. The five-year-old was happily chatting with his cousin Luna, completely oblivious to the tension swirling around him. Alissa and Allen tried to keep the mood light, sharing stories and laughter, but Claire could feel the eyes on her — sharp, resentful, and unforgiving.
Several pack members openly expressed their unhappiness.
At the far end of the table, one of the older warriors leaned toward another, his voice low but not low enough. “She left him for five years. Hid the Alpha’s heir. And now she comes back like nothing happened? She’s the reason he became this cold
