At the mention of Danielleâs name, a surge of focus returned to me.
I met Harlanâs gaze squarely, posing a counter-question.
âWhat do you think, Harlan? If it werenât for Danielle leaking secrets, none of this wouldâve happened.
Whatâs your take on her punishment?â
Harlan lapsed into silence, his lips pressed into a thin line.
Eventually, he spoke with a resigned air.
âDanielle messed up, so Iâll leave her fate in your hands.
Whatever you decide, Iâll accept.
â
I deliberated for a moment before passing judgment.
âThen letâs confine Danielle to the Thorn Edge
Packâs jail for Life.
She doesnât deserve freedom.
â
I prided myself on my rationality.
Harlanâs relation to Danielle wouldnât sway my decision.
In my eyes, she posed a genuine threat.
Even if she were only five years old, I was resolute in imposing the punishment.
After all, her reckless actions had put the entire pack at risk and led to Debraâs disappearance.
An individual so extreme and unpredictable, left unpunished, would only spell trouble in the future.
It was best to lock her away for good.
âWell.
â Upon hearing my decision, Harlanâs features tightened, a pained expression etching across his face, yet he didnât object.
It seemed even he recognized this as the wisest choice for now.
Turning swiftly to Carlos, I delegated, âCarlos, Iâm placing this matter in your hands.
â
Carlos nodded eagerly, without a momentâs hesitation.
With everything settled, I pulled the blanket closer, my voice strained with fatigue.
âIâm feeling a bit worn out.
You all should head out first.
I could use some time alone.
â
My friends rose from their seats, offering assurances as they departed.
âSure thing, just give us a call if you need anything.
â
âOkay,â I murmured faintly.
As they departed, my mother stayed behind, her presence a calm contrast to the emptying room.
She had been quiet throughout, her gaze fixed on me with concern.
Now alone together, she sighed heavily, her words filled with maternal concern.
âMy child, if youâre hurting, donât keep it Locked away.
Let it out; itâll only fester inside.
â
I denied any sadness reflexively.
âNo, Iâm not sad.
â
She was taken aback, c@@king her head to scrutinize me closely.
After a moment, she ventured cautiously, âWhatâs troubling you then?â
âUnsure how to articulate my feelings, I faltered.
â
Her brow furrowed with concern.
âDidnât you love Debra deeply? You were even willing to relinquish your Alpha status for her.
How can you not be distraught over her disappearance?â
Speechless, I struggled to find an explanation.
Frankly, I found my own reaction perplexing.
I wanted to mourn as one would for a lost mate.
But try as I might, I couldnât summon any genuine sorrow.
Debra seemed to occupy a space in my heart reserved for mere sympathy, nothing more.