Chapter 19. A Moment of Sorrow

Elizabeth POV

Daniel spun on my father, his face etched with a volatile mixture of righteous anger and wounded guilt. His voice, deep and gravelly, carried an almost feral edge. “You can’t do this! I won’t stand by while she pays for my mistake. This is my fault, not hers—she was only defending herself!”

I hardly recognized the ferocity in his tone. To hear him defend me so passionately took me by surprise. Maybe Daniel thought his objection would sway Alpha, but I had no illusions that my father would back down. I knew him too well.

As if on cue, Alpha sneered down at Daniel, disdain curling the corner of his lip. “You know her standing in the pack—she has none. Status means everything here. Rules were broken, and circumstances don’t absolve her. She had every opportunity to remain silent, yet she chose to cause a stir.”

A hush fell over the small clearing where we stood. Dozens of packsfolk hovered at the edges, curiosity drawing them in like moths to a