The hall was loud.
Voices shouted from every side.
They were all arguing about me.
I sat on the cold floor in the middle of them. My hands were shaking, and my dress still smelled of smoke. My hair was messy. My face felt hot and dirty.
Markus banged his hand on the table.
“She’s trouble! Look what she’s done already. First the rogues, now a fire! How long before she burns down the whole pack?”
Caleb stood beside him, pointing at me.
“She shouldn’t even be here! Her blood killed our people. Why should we protect her? We should send her away—or kill her now.”
A few people nodded. Their eyes were cold.
They looked at me like I was some kind of monster.
I tried to speak, but my throat felt tight. My voice came out soft.
“I didn’t start the fire. Please, I didn’t—”
“Liar!” Caleb sh
