#Chapter 191: From the Ground Up

Agnes I couldn’t even bear to look at the bones of the once-beautiful manor that stood behind us. My stomach twisted with guilt every time I looked at it, and the lingering scent of smoke and burnt wood in the air only made it worse. Truthfully, I hadn’t even wanted to come here today. But I had no choice. A small crowd of reporters had gathered on our lawn. Cameras flashed intermittently, journalists jotting notes and whispering amongst themselves. Somehow, I managed to maintain a composed outward demeanor even though I was screaming on the inside. Elijah stepped forward, his shoulders squared and head held high. Even in the midst of the crisis, and with a broken arm no less, he embodied the strength and authority of an Alpha. I admired that about him—his ability to remain steady when everything was falling apart. I certainly didn’t feel like I had that quality right now. “Thank you all for coming,” Elijah addressed the reporters, gesturing behind us with