As the applause slowly died down, Damien glanced back at Annie, his eyes searching hers for a reaction. She looked at him, her lips curving into a small, tentative smile. As the pack began to settle back into their seats, the tension in the air began to lift.
After Damien's speech, the atmosphere in the grand dining hall began to shift. The formalities over, the pack started to relax, engaging in conversation as they moved towards the long buffet tables laden with food. Laughter bubbled up from a few corners of the room.
Ryan, on the other hand, was clearly enjoying the attention from the crowd. A few of the women, pack members who had been cold just moments ago, now cooed and fussed over him, admiring his big blue eyes and how he was an exact replica of Damien at that age.
Damien leant in closer to Annie, his voice soft but firm. "Why don't you grab something to eat? I'll watch Ryan."
