Chapter 197

LIAM’S POV The pack members gathered around Natalie, throwing accusations at her. The place was filled with accusations, tension and suspicion. Natalie stood in the middle of the hall, surrounded in a circle of judgment. Her arms were clenched tight to her sides. Her face was unreadable. She looked too calm for a woman being accused of the worst crime against a pack: betrayal. And I stood there, not as her mate, but as her Alpha. My throat was dry, and my wolf paced inside me, anxious. My wolf was unsettled inside me. “Tell me,” I said. As soon as I spoke, everyone went silent. “Why were you with that Devil?” Her eyes snapped to mine. There were so many emotions in her gaze—shock, pain… betrayal. That last one cut me. “I already told you,” she said “I don’t know him.” “You expect us to believe that?” someone snarled from the crowd. Gamma Nate stood close, frowning, but he hadn’t joined the shouting yet. Many others had. I raised my hand to silence the murmurs. “Natalie,” I continued. “