#Chapter 44: Cracks in the Glass

The news hit before sunrise. My tablet wouldn’t stop buzzing with alerts, notifications stacking like falling debris. Even half-awake, I could see the headlines screaming Richard’s name in every possible permutation: “Alpha King Detached and Dangerous?” “Richard’s Empire of Silence” “Where’s the Transparency? Allies Demand Answers.” The articles were slickly produced, peppered with cherry-picked quotes that made Richard sound like a tyrant, or worse, an incompetent child playing at war. The Crosthorn Pack had clearly worked with David’s team to get their message unified, with their Betas and advisors dropping sly, cutting comments in interviews: “We want leadership that listens, not someone who hides behind closed doors and flirts with staff.” “Our Pack will always back truth, not arrogance.” “Ask his office plaything about transparency.” That last one made me choke on my breath. I sat up in the cold, gray light of morning, staring at the words until they blurred. My