“Let’s go inside!” Elder Remus urged, his voice a low rumble that held both authority and a hint of weariness.
They exchanged a quick glance before following him into the house.
Stella immediately offered them a tray of assorted snacks miniature quiches, cheese straws, and a bowl of brightly colored fruit.
“You should stay here, Stella!” Theo declared, his tone more insistent than a simple suggestion. His eyes, usually bright with mischief, held a worried intensity.
Elder Remus’ gaze shifted to Stella, his expression unreadable.
“Yeah, stay here!” Daisha echoed, her voice softer, but her eyes mirroring her brother’s concern.
Stella shook her head, a subtle movement that betrayed her inner turmoil. Disbelief warred with a deeper, more unsettling emotion a sense of foreboding.
Stella settled onto the sofa beside her sister, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She watched her father, his usually jovial face etched with lines of worry.
Elder Remus spoke, his voice low and serious, “I know that Stella can get you back here! I never doubted her skills!”
Daisha’s eyes, sharp and inquisitive, immediately locked onto her sister. A smirk played on her lips, a mixture of amusement and skepticism. “What are you saying, Dad?” She asked, her voice laced with playful sarcasm, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of genuine concern.
Elder Remus opened his mouth to explain, his gaze fixed on Stella, but before he could utter another word, Stella cut him off. “Nah! Skip the nonsense, Dad!” she said, her voice sharper than usual, a clear indication of her impatience.
The tension in the room crackled.
Elder Remus, momentarily taken aback, simply nodded, a defeated sigh escaping his lips. “Oh,” he murmured, the word barely audible above the sudden, unsettling silence that descended upon them.
“Why are you here, though?” Daisha asked, her voice sharp, her gaze fixed on Brandon, who shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny.
He avoided her eyes, his cheeks flushing slightly. “I’m with Tyros,” he mumbled, the words barely audible above the low hum of conversation in the room.
Daisha’s gaze then shifted to Sky, a silent question hanging in the air. “I’m worried about Flora,” Sky replied, his voice laced with concern.
Flora, however, shook her head, a dismissive gesture that spoke volumes of her frustration.
“Sorry for the inconvenience,” Flora said, her voice tight with barely controlled anger. She glared at her brother, a silent accusation passing between them.
Stella, observing the tense exchange, intervened. “Skip that,” she said, her tone firm, her nod towards her sister a silent command to move on.
Then, a bombshell. “Actually, I don’t want to go back here!” Daisha blurted out, the words hanging in the air like a discordant note.
The confession startled not only her father, Elder Remus, but also everyone present. His eyebrows shot up in surprise, his jovial demeanor replaced by a look of stunned disbelief. “Why?” he asked immediately, his voice laced with a mixture of concern and bewilderment.
Daisha, emboldened by her sudden outburst, met his gaze with a newfound confidence. “I’m already living my best life!” she declared, a defiant glint in her eyes.
A smirk played on Stella’s lips as she watched her sister. She shook her head, a subtle gesture that conveyed both amusement and a hint of exasperation. “She’s living with a man,” She revealed, her voice calm but carrying a weight of implication.
Elder Remus’ eyes widened, his gaze shifting from Stella to Daisha, a mixture of shock and disbelief etched on his face. “What the…? Really?” he exclaimed, his voice barely a whisper, his need for confirmation palpable. He turned to his eldest daughter, his voice tinged with a mixture of concern and disapproval. “Daisha!”
“Gosh, Stella!” Daisha groaned, rolling her eyes at her sister’s blatant revelation.
Elder Remus, ignoring the sibling squabble, pressed his eldest daughter. “Daisha, is that true?” he asked again, his voice firm but laced with a hint of pleading.
Daisha sighed, defeated. “Okay, fine! Yeah, I’m living with a man,” she admitted, the words hanging heavy in the air.
Elder Remus’ face registered a mixture of surprise, concern, and a touch of hurt. He started to speak, his voice rising in concern, but Daisha cut him off.
“Can you guys leave for a while?” Daisha requested, her voice weary, her need for privacy evident.
Theo, ever the agreeable one, smiled at Stella, a reassuring gesture. “Of course!” he replied.
Flora, ever the supportive friend, tapped Stella’s shoulder, a silent offer of comfort and understanding. “We’ll just wait outside,” she said softly.
Stella nodded, her eyes meeting Flora’s in a silent exchange of understanding. “Yeah, I’ll be there as fast as I can,” she replied, her voice a promise.
The screen door slammed shut behind Theo, Flora, Sky, Tyros, and Brandon, the sound echoing the sudden silence that descended upon the living room.
Elder Remus turned his attention back to Daisha, his expression a mixture of concern and disbelief. “Daisha,” he began, his voice low and serious, “are you telling me the truth?”
Daisha rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. “Dad, you’re just repeating your question,” she sighed, her tone a blend of exasperation and weariness.
The casual dismissal stung him. He pressed on, his voice sharper this time. “With a man?”
Daisha nodded, a small, almost imperceptible movement, but it was enough.
Elder Remus, needing more information, pressed further. “Who’s this man? Introduce him to me,” he instructed, his voice firm, his desire for a proper introduction clear.
Daisha shook her head, her defiance hardening her features. “He’s busy!” she retorted, her gaze darting towards
Stella, a flicker of something akin to guilt in her eyes.
Elder Remus, however, wasn’t easily dissuaded. “Then tell him to take some time,” he insisted, his voice carrying the weight of his authority.
Daisha took a deep breath, the tension in her shoulders palpable. “He’s afraid of our… being,” she finally admitted, the words hanging in the air.
Stella’s eyes widened, her gaze fixed on her sister, a silent question passing between them. “Then why is he staying with you?” She asked, her voice soft but laced with genuine curiosity.
A slow smile spread across Daisha’s face, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I’m the exception!” she declared, her tone playful, yet confident.
Stella couldn’t help but chuckle. “Dang, that’s new!” she exclaimed, a smirk playing on her lips.
Daisha grinned, nodding in agreement. “I know!”
But Elder Remus, ever the concerned father, wasn’t finished. “But you should still invite him here,” he suggested, his voice softening slightly.
Daisha, surprisingly compliant, stood up from the couch. “Fine, I will invite him!” she agreed, her tone surprisingly agreeable.
Stella, sensing the shift in the dynamic, also rose to her feet.
Elder Remus, noticing their simultaneous movements, asked, “Where are you going?”
Stella waved a hand dismissively at her father. “I’m going home!” she announced, her voice light, her energy shifting from the earlier tension.
Elder Remus turned his attention to Daisha. “How about you?”
Daisha tapped Stella’s shoulder, a silent agreement passing between the sisters. “Going home!” she echoed, her voice carrying a newfound lightness, the weight of the recent conversation seemingly lifted.
The two sisters, leaving their father in the quiet living room, headed out into the night, leaving the mystery of Daisha’s new relationship hanging in the air.
Daisha and Stella stepped out of the house, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the charged atmosphere they’d left behind.
Daisha paused on the porch steps, her shoulders slumped with a weariness that belied her usual spirited demeanor. “I’m going to leave now,” she announced, her voice flat, devoid of the usual playful lilt.
Stella, however, wasn’t ready to let her sister go so easily. Her gaze fell upon Brandon, who stood awkwardly near
Theo and Flora, his posture radiating a mixture of apprehension and guilt. “You should talk to him,” Stella urged, her voice gentle but firm.
Daisha sighed, a sound heavy with frustration. “We’re already done, Stella! Don’t try to fix us again, okay?” she pleaded, her tone laced with a hint of desperation. She patted Stella’s shoulder, a gesture both comforting and dismissive.
Stella, however, remained unconvinced. “But you need to clear some things up,” she insisted, her voice unwavering.
Daisha took a deep breath, the weight of unresolved issues settling heavily on her shoulders. “Fine,” she conceded, her voice barely a whisper.
With a newfound resolve, Daisha started walking towards Brandon, her steps purposeful. “Let’s talk,” she declared, her voice carrying a firmness that surprised even herself.
Brandon, caught off guard, stammered, “Huh? Why-”
Stella, sensing Brandon’s hesitation, cut him off. “Just talk to her!” she commanded, her voice sharp, leaving no room for argument.
Theo chimed in, “Stella’s right. Be a man, bro!” he added, his nod towards Daisha a silent encouragement.
Stella, sensing the conversation was underway, turned to her friends. “We’re going now,” she announced, her eyes lingering on Daisha for a moment, a silent message of support passing between them. She then turned to Flora, engulfing her in a warm hug. “Thank you so much, Flora!” she murmured, her gratitude sincere.
Flora, returning the hug, smiled warmly. “We’re going home now,” she said, her voice soft, her tone conveying a sense of peace.
Stella nodded, her heart full of gratitude for her friends’ support. She then waved goodbye to Sky. “Bye, Sky!”
Sky, returning her wave, offered a simple, “Bye!”
As Stella and Flora walked away, leaving Daisha and Brandon to their conversation.
Tyros, his hand gently clasped in Flora’s, guided her towards his sleek, dark-colored car. The soft glow of the interior light illuminated his kind face as he helped her settle into the passenger seat.
Flora, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of gratitude and affection, turned to her brother, Sky, who was already halfway into the backseat. “Are you coming with us?” she asked, her voice soft, laced with genuine concern.
Sky, ever the dependable brother, grinned. “Of course!” he replied, sliding into the backseat beside Tyros.
As the car pulled away, Flora leaned out the window, her voice carrying on the night air. “Bye, Stella!” she called out, her voice filled with warmth.
Stella smiled, waving back, her heart warmed by the genuine affection in Flora’s farewell.
Theo, ever attentive, turned to Stella, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of the streetlights. “Let’s go?” he asked, his voice a gentle murmur.
Stella nodded, her gaze lingering on the departing car for a moment before turning her attention to her sister, Daisha, who stood patiently waiting. “We’re going now,” Stella announced, her voice calm, a sense of quiet contentment settling over her.
Daisha, her expression a mixture of relief and gratitude, embraced Stella in a tight hug, the unexpected gesture catching Stella off guard. The warmth of Daisha’s embrace, however, was comforting, a silent expression of affection and appreciation. “Thank you for bringing me back home,” Daisha murmured, her voice muffled against Stella’s shoulder.
As Daisha released her, she offered a piece of advice, her tone laced with a playful warning. “Just don’t take whatever Dad will tell you seriously,” she cautioned, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Stella laughed, shaking her head. “I’m pro at that!” she replied, her smile genuine and bright.
Daisha, satisfied, turned her attention to Theo. “That’s good!” she said, before turning her gaze to Theo, her expression shifting to one of playful seriousness.
“Be good to her,” Daisha warned Theo, her voice a lighthearted but firm command.
Theo, ever the charming gentleman, chuckled. “You don’t need to worry about that,” he replied, his smile directed at Stella, a silent promise passing between them.
With a final wave to Daisha, Theo and Stella climbed into Theo’s car. As soon as they were settled, Theo let out a contented sigh. “Finally, we’re going back home,” he said, his voice laced with relief.
Stella, her eyes already drooping, leaned back against the seat, her body relaxing into the comfortable cushions. “I’m so sleepy right now,” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.
Theo, ever thoughtful, reached over and gently touched her hand. “You can sleep for a while, and I’ll wake you up when we get home,” he offered.
Stella, however, shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. “I can wait, thank you!” She said, her voice a soft counterpoint to the rumble of Theo’s engine as he started the car.
The warmth of the interior light reflected in her eyes as she watched them drive away, a sense of quiet contentment settling over her.
Once Theo’s car disappeared down the street, Daisha turned to Brandon, who stood awkwardly beside her, his usual confident demeanor replaced by a hesitant uncertainty. “We should talk,” Daisha stated, her voice firm, yet laced with a hint of vulnerability.
Brandon, seemingly relieved, simply nodded, his gaze meeting hers with a mixture of apprehension and acceptance. “Yeah,” he replied, his voice low, “I also want to end this right.”
Together, they walked towards Daisha’s car, a small, understated vehicle that contrasted sharply with the luxury of the mansion behind them.
As they settled into the car, Brandon’s eyes took in the interior, his gaze lingering on the details. “Is this yours?” he asked, his voice laced with a touch of surprise.
Daisha, already buckling her seatbelt, chuckled. “Nah!” she replied, her tone playful, yet hinting at a deeper meaning.
Brandon, his curiosity piqued, started to speak, but Daisha cut him off, her voice a mixture of impatience and finality. “Yeah, you’re thinking right!” she declared, her words confirming his unspoken assumption.
With a decisive movement, she started the engine, the low hum of the car a subtle counterpoint to the unspoken tension between them.
“Dang!” Brandon exclaimed, his gaze drifting towards the departing lights of the mansion, a silent acknowledgement of the end of an era.
Daisha, her eyes focused on the road, drove them in silence until they reached Brandon’s home a modest house that stood in stark contrast to the opulence of Daisha’s family mansion.
As they pulled up to his driveway, Brandon spoke, his voice hesitant. “Are we going to talk here?” he asked, his eyes searching hers for answers.
Daisha shook her head, her expression firm, her resolve unwavering. “I drove you home,” she stated, her voice clear and decisive. “What happened between us is over, and that is final.” Her words, though blunt, carried a sense of closure, a finality that left no room for ambiguity.
Brandon, though clearly disappointed, met her gaze with a newfound understanding. “I already know that,” he replied, his voice surprisingly calm. “Thank you for clearing things up.”
A genuine smile graced Daisha’s lips. “Of course,” she said, her tone gentle. “You don’t deserve the hate.”
Brandon, mirroring her smile, nodded in agreement. “You also don’t deserve that,” he said, his voice sincere, before opening the car door and stepping out into the night. “See you again soon!” He said, his voice a low murmur that barely carried over the quiet hum of Daisha’s engine.
A hint of wistfulness colored his tone, a stark contrast to the decisiveness he’d shown moments before. He offered a small, almost hesitant smile before exiting the car, leaving Daisha alone with the weight of their recent conversation.
“Thank you,” Daisha replied, her voice barely a whisper, the words hanging in the air long after Brandon had closed the car door. She watched him walk towards the imposing mansion, its grandeur a stark contrast to the simplicity of her own life.
The moment he was out of sight, Daisha’s carefully constructed composure crumbled. Tears welled up in her eyes, escaping the dam she’d held back with such effort. “Yeah, that’s for good,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
With a shaky hand, she started the engine, the roar of the motor a temporary distraction from the turmoil within.
As she drove away, leaving the mansion and its memories behind, she caught a glimpse of Brandon watching her car disappear down the road. His words, spoken softly as he entered the mansion, echoed in her mind: “Thank you for giving me my freedom.”
The city lights blurred through her tear-filled eyes as she navigated the familiar streets. Then, the jarring ring of her phone cut through the silence. “Yes?” she answered, her voice strained, still grappling with the emotional aftermath of her recent encounter.
“Where are you?” The familiar voice on the other end belonged to Stella, her concern evident in her tone.
Daisha, surprised by the sudden call, replied with a question of her own. “Why?”
“Let’s talk again! In the woods!” Stella suggested, her voice brimming with the excitement of a long-awaited reunion.
Daisha, despite the lingering sadness, found herself agreeing. “Fine,” she replied, her voice regaining some of its usual strength. She turned the car around, heading back towards Stella’s house.
Stella was waiting, her figure silhouetted against the darkening sky as Daisha’s car pulled up.
The moment the car stopped, the door opened, and Daisha emerged, her face etched with the lingering traces of her emotions. “Get inside,” she said, her voice firm, yet tinged with a hint of exhaustion.
Stella, her face alight with a mixture of relief and anticipation, readily obeyed, sliding into the car beside her sister.
Daisha expertly navigated her car through the winding path leading into the dense woods, the trees closing in like watchful guardians. She finally found a suitable spot to park, the car settling with a soft sigh against the earthy ground. “Are you going to kill me here?” she teased her sister, her voice light, a playful attempt to break the tension that had settled between them.
Stella, however, simply rolled her eyes, her expression a mixture of amusement and exasperation. “I can do that,” she retorted, her tone playful, yet hinting at a hidden seriousness.
With a shared smile, they stepped out of the car and ventured into the woods. The deeper they went, the more the trees enveloped them, their branches intertwining overhead like protective arms. Finally, they reached a clearing in the heart of the woods, a small oasis of calm amidst the surrounding chaos of nature.
Daisha, breaking the silence, asked, “What now?”
Stella, taking a deep breath, began to speak, her voice low and serious. “I heard that they’re planning my wedding with Theo,” she revealed, her words hanging heavy in the air.
Daisha, taken aback by the unexpected news, stared at her sister, her expression a mixture of surprise and concern. “Really? I guess that’s great!” she replied, her voice laced with a hint of forced enthusiasm.
Stella, however, simply smirked, her expression betraying her true feelings. “I’m not ready yet,” She confessed, the words escaping her lips like a long-held breath.
A heavy silence descended upon them, the only sound the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze.
Daisha, after a moment of contemplation, spoke again, her voice soft but firm. “Then tell him that you’re not ready yet,” she suggested, her words a gentle nudge towards self-advocacy.
Stella, however, shook her head, a wry smile playing on her lips. “I can’t say no to Dad,” she sighed, her voice laced with a mixture of resignation and frustration.
Daisha, understanding the weight of her sister’s predicament, took a deep breath, her own frustration bubbling to the surface. “You can-” she started, but Stella cut her off, her voice laced with a hint of desperation.
“You’re the only one who can do that,” Stella said, her words a silent plea for understanding.
Daisha, realizing the depth of her sister’s helplessness, felt a pang of sympathy. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice filled with remorse.
Stella simply nodded, her eyes reflecting the weight of her unspoken burdens. “All I can do is agree with them,” she said, her voice resigned, her shoulders slumping with defeat.
Daisha, reaching out, placed a comforting hand on her sister’s shoulder, offering a silent promise of support in the face of overwhelming pressure. “I will be back after I persuade Darrel to come here,” She assured her sister, her voice firm, a determined glint in her eyes.
The weight of the task ahead was evident in her tone, but her confidence remained unshaken.
Stella, sensing her sister’s resolve, offered a reassuring smile. “Yeah, you should do that!” she replied, her voice laced with encouragement.
Daisha, turning her attention back to the present, asked, “Let’s go?”
Stella nodded, her expression a mixture of anticipation and a hint of worry. “Go back home safely!” she urged, her voice filled with genuine concern.
Daisha, touched by her sister’s care, smiled warmly. “Of course,” she replied, a playful lilt in her voice. “Someone’s waiting for me.”
Once inside the car, Daisha started the engine, the familiar hum a comforting sound as she began the drive back towards Stella’s house. Upon arriving, she dropped Stella off, watching as her sister disappeared into the familiar embrace of her home.
“Bye!” Stella called out, her voice bright, her spirits lifted by the prospect of a quiet day ahead.
Daisha, returning the farewell with a simple nod, drove away, leaving Stella to her own thoughts.
The next morning dawned bright and clear, a welcome contrast to the lingering shadows of the previous night’s events.
Theo waited patiently in the living room, a warm smile gracing his lips as Stella entered the room. “You woke up early!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with affection.
Stella, returning his smile, replied, “I’ll cook breakfast for us!”
Theo, his eyes twinkling with amusement, nodded in agreement.
As they settled into their morning routine, a question lingered in the air.
“You went out last night?” Theo asked, his tone casual, yet a hint of concern underlying his words.
Stella, her expression turning serious, met his gaze directly. “I talked with my sister,” she replied, her voice calm but firm.
Theo, sensing a shift in the atmosphere, rose from the couch and followed her, his usual easy charm replaced by a quiet attentiveness. “You didn’t say anything to me before leaving,” he said softly.
Stella paused mid-wash, the sound of running water abruptly ceasing as she turned to Theo, her brow furrowed in a mixture of surprise and concern. “I thought you were already sleeping,” she said, her voice soft, her tone laced with a gentle reprimand.
Theo, his eyes heavy-lidded but his smile warm, nodded slowly. “I couldn’t sleep last night,” he confessed, his voice a low rumble that held a hint of weariness. He pulled up a stool and settled in front of the kitchen counter, his gaze fixed on Stella.
Stella, her concern for him outweighing her initial surprise, began to rummage through the refrigerator, her movements slow and deliberate.
Before she could fully focus on choosing ingredients, however, Theo gently took her arm, his touch both comforting and insistent. “Let’s eat outside,” he suggested, his voice firm but gentle.
Stella, however, was already in the midst of planning their breakfast. “But why? I can cook, though!” she protested, her tone playful, but a hint of frustration coloring her words.
Theo, understanding her need to feel useful, countered with a gentle explanation. “I know, but you look tired,” he said, his gaze filled with concern.
Stella, considering his words, looked at him for a moment, her eyes lingering on his concerned expression.
The concern in his eyes, coupled with her own lingering exhaustion, finally convinced her.
With a soft sigh, she nodded. “I will just change my clothes,” she said, her voice laced with a hint of weariness.
Theo, understanding her need for a moment of privacy, nodded in response. “I’ll wait for you in the living room,” he said, rising from his stool and heading towards the living room, leaving Stella to her preparations.
After a quick change of clothes, Stella emerged from her room, ready to face the day.
Theo, waiting patiently in the living room, greeted her with a smile. “Let’s go!” he announced, his voice filled with a newfound energy.
They walked hand-in-hand towards the car, the familiar comfort of their routine a welcome solace.
Theo started the car, the engine purring softly as he began to drive.
Stella, initially curious about their destination, began to ask, “Where are we going-” but she stopped mid-sentence, recognizing the familiar route.
The sight of the familiar landscape brought a smile to her face.
“In the mansion,” Theo confirmed, his voice a soft whisper, his eyes filled with a warmth that mirrored the affection in his heart.
The car pulled up in front of the grand mansion, its imposing presence a stark contrast to the quiet intimacy of their recent moments together. As they stepped out of the car, they were greeted by several maids, their smiles welcoming and familiar.
Theo, turning to them, asked, “The food is ready, right?” His tone was confident, his expectation of a perfectly prepared meal a testament to the seamless efficiency of the household staff.
“Yes, sir!” one of the maids responded promptly, her voice respectful, her demeanor efficient.
Theo, acknowledging her with a curt nod, proceeded into the grand mansion, Stella quietly following in his wake.
The sheer scale of the entrance hall, with its towering ceilings and ornate furnishings, was a testament to the family’s wealth and influence.
Brandon, engrossed in his search for a suitable breakfast, looked up in surprise as Theo and Stella entered the dining area. His expression shifted from casual curiosity to a mixture of surprise and mild annoyance. “What are you doing here?” he asked his brother, his tone laced with a hint of resentment.
Theo, however, ignored his brother’s question, his attention focused entirely on Stella. He pulled out a chair for her with a gentle gesture, his actions speaking louder than words. “Don’t ask silly things,” He retorted, his voice firm, his gaze fixed on his brother, before settling beside Stella.
The arrival of Alpha Raven, however, disrupted the brewing tension between the brothers. He stopped abruptly, his expression shifting from casual observation to startled surprise upon seeing Theo and Stella seated together. “Why are you always showing up without any notice?” he asked his eldest son, his voice carrying the weight of his authority, but a hint of underlying concern in his tone.
Theo, unfazed by his father’s reprimand, simply replied with a playful grin. “Surprise!” he announced, his smile directed at his father, a subtle challenge to his authority.
Stella, ever the poised and graceful young woman, greeted their Alpha with a polite nod and a warm smile. “Good morning, Alpha Raven!” she said, her voice clear and melodious.
Alpha Raven, his initial surprise giving way to a more composed demeanor, responded with equal courtesy. “Have a nice day ahead, Stella!” he replied, his tone polite, yet hinting at a deeper level of respect. “Let’s eat!” He announced, his voice cutting through the lingering tension, his command bringing a sense of order to the scene.
The family, along with Stella, began their breakfast, the various sounds of cutlery against china a subtle symphony of morning routine.
Theo, ever attentive, helped Stella by filling her plate with a selection of delicacies, his actions a silent testament to his affection.
Brandon, observing his brother’s attentiveness, couldn’t help but notice the quiet intimacy between them. He heard Stella whisper a soft “Thank you!” to Theo, the words barely audible above the gentle hum of conversation.
“Just eat what you want, Stella,” Theo said, his voice soft, his smile warm and reassuring.
Stella, touched by his gesture, replied with equal warmth. “You should too!” she said, her voice laced with genuine affection, before beginning to eat.
Their peaceful breakfast, however, was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Elder Remus, accompanied by the Beta and Delta of their pack.
Alpha Raven, sensing a shift in the atmosphere, immediately stood up from his seat, his expression turning serious. “Is there something wrong?” he asked, his voice firm, his eyes scanning the faces of the newcomers, his concern palpable.