The weight of her words hit Avery like a punch. She felt the world spinning, everything she thought she knew unraveling around her. She wanted to believe Ethan, wanted to trust him… but the doubt gnawed at her, growing with each second.
"I… I don't understand," Avery stammered, her voice shaking as she turned back to Ethan. "Why would your pack plan an attack? You said you didn't know anything about this. How is that even possible?"
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear in his movements. "I don't know, Avery! I don't know who they're talking about. My pack wouldn't do something like this without me knowing. Someone's lying." His voice trembled slightly as he stepped closer to her, his eyes desperate. "You have to believe me."
