137
~Elara's POV
I almost choked on a laugh. "That is terrifying."
"Welcome to leadership," he said.
Janea found her way behind me, her excitement turning into nervous energy.
"Elara… what if no one bids? What if…"
"They will," I cut in softly. "And even if they don't, we still did something beautiful today."
She nodded, but she didn't look convinced. I understood. Fear comes with ambition like a shadow comes with light.
Applause again. It rolled across the hall like a soft wave, like something alive. Not loud in a chaotic way, but steady. Respectful. Prideful. Almost gentle, even from the fiercest alphas.
I sat back down slowly, still catching my breath. My knees felt light, like they could give out or lift me into the air. I was not sure which. My hands trembled, just enough to betray me, so I placed them under the table where no one could see.
For a second, I allowed myself to just feel everything.
