Jacob lifted his gaze toward the Beta, who stood a few steps away, clearly waiting for him to get up. The silence between them stretched for a moment before Jacob finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying a quiet resistance.
"Aren't they the Alpha's guests?" he said, leaning slightly against the trunk of the tree. "I don't think my presence there really matters. I'd rather stay here for a while… get some rest and breathe."
The shade of the tree, the soft rustle of leaves, and the cool air brushing against his skin gave him a sense of peace he rarely felt inside the main house. It was the only place where he didn't feel watched—where he could exist, even just for a moment, without pressure.
But Kulas didn't look convinced. "You wouldn't want the Alpha himself to come out here and drag you back inside, would you?" he replied, his tone firm, though not entirely harsh.
Jacob's brows pulled together slightly.
