The door had barely swung open before the entire room felt the shift.
Kael stood there, one hand still on the handle, wolf ears flicking once in surprise. His golden eyes locked on Lydia like she'd just walked in wearing a crown instead of yesterday's hoodie. "You?"
"Hi," Lydia said, voice steadier than she felt. "Can I come in?"
Kael stepped aside without a word, but the tension in his shoulders was loud enough to echo. The rest of the Seven-Stars were already seated around the oval table parchments, half-empty drinks, the faint scent of magic and expensive cologne hanging in the air like they'd been mid-meeting about something way more important than her. Now every single one of them was staring.
