#Chapter 56: Resentments to who?

Lauren I knew Alexander was lying when he left. His gaze was the same but there was that hitch in his tone. The same one when he used to sneak off to see Sophia. Only this time, I couldn’t help but trail him. The winds that rustled through the towering pines seemed heavier than usual, carrying whispers of dissent and unease. I could feel it as I walked through the forest compound, my boots crunching softly on the gravel path as I followed Alexander’s scent—though, there were many mingled in it. A Pack meeting. The familiar sights and sounds of the place felt foreign, almost hostile. I wasn’t sure if it was because I’d been away too long or if the shift was in the people themselves. I lingered at the edge of the clearing, hidden by the brush. The pack had gathered around a tall, ancient tree. Some faces I recognized; others were strangers. At the tree’s base stood a small stage, its wooden surface adorned with delicate, living flowers. And atop it, looking out over th