Chapter 72: Sacrifices
Lily walked alongside Talia toward the infirmary, her shoulders hunched as she avoided meeting the eyes of passing pack members. Since Zayn’s disappearance three days ago, whispers followed her everywhere, growing louder with each passing day.
“Hold your head up,” Talia murmured, noticing Lily’s discomfort. “Don’t let them see your fear.”
Lily nodded, forcing her spine straighter despite the weight of accusatory glares. A group of women gossiped near the well, their conversation halting abruptly as Lily approached. One of them—a blonde with fierce eyes—stepped forward deliberately.
“How convenient that our Alpha disappears right after being alone with you in the forest,” she spat.
Lily’s hands trembled as she reached for her notebook, but Talia stepped between them.
“That’s enough,” Talia warned. “Spreading rumors helps no one.”
The blonde sneered. “It’s not a rumor when Victoria saw it herself.”
Lily’s blood ran cold, eyes wide. Her hands shook, but she tried hard to hide them behind her skirt.
Another woman joined in. “My cousin’s on the search party. They’ve found nothing. It’s been days!”
“It must be her fault! She must have done something to our Alpha!” someone shouted from behind.
Before Lily could react, something splattered on her shoulder. It was a rotten egg, its gooey substance smeared across her dress and hair. The stench made her stomach turn.
Talia whirled around. “Who threw that? Show yourself, coward!”