The car ride to the Crescent Moon Pack territory had been quiet. Too quiet. Annie sat in the passenger seat, her hands clenched tightly in her lap, eyes fixated on the road ahead. Emily and Heather were watching Ryan while they were gone.
Damien glanced at her, sensing the tension. His hand slipped off the steering wheel, reaching over to gently squeeze hers. Annie looked at him and smiled.
As the pack house came into view, towering and imposing against the trees, Annie's heart clenched. She hadn't been here in years, and yet it felt like only yesterday she had walked these grounds. The same old feeling of unease settled in her stomach. The car came to a stop, and Annie finally exhaled, realising she'd been holding her breath. She glanced over at Damien, who offered her a reassuring smile.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft but steady.
Annie nodded, though she didn't trust her voice to speak. She wasn't okay.
