When the prayers ended, the air seemed to shift. The crowd began to stir, and slowly, people started to leave. Some whispered among themselves, others exchanged brief nods or comforting touches before departing.
A few eagle and owl males glanced at Kyra curiously. They murmured to one another, their eyes lingering on her briefly before moving on, but no one approached her or asked any questions.
As the crowd thinned, Kyra caught sight of Jessie, Joy's mother, walking toward her.
Kyra stood still, her heart heavy with both sorrow and guilt. She watched as Joy's mother, Jessie, approached her with a calm but tired expression. Kyra felt a pang of discomfort, unsure of what to say. Jessie's mates hovered protectively behind her, their expressions unreadable.
"Hi, female. You must be Kyra, right?" Jessie said in a gentle voice, her honey-colored eyes meeting Kyra's. "My name is Jessie."
