Hushed Willows and they raise a toast of bulleit rye

Mae, for her part, listened closely to what was shared in the time before the leaders took notice of what was going on. Honestly, she would have been just fine with ignoring the woman and carrying on with the meeting. But of course Boone and Reverie were too nice for that. Mae snorted when the whole thing was cut short in favor of fawning over the sniveling woman.

She'd wanted to hear more about Hearthwood, about what was expected of its members. Instead it was rapidly becoming all about this woman and whatever her problem was. Now she had the full focus of both of the leaders, and Mae hoped that was enough attention for her, because she certainly wasn't giving any of her own. She was about to leave, glancing over the others who had gathered to see what they made of the pitiful display — but then she caught some of the words exchanged.

Her annoyance intensified. Mae had been a little wary of Boone, too; anyone would be a bit nervous around someone that goddamn huge. But Mae hadn't made a spectacle of it and herself, and she certainly hadn't told him to fuck off in front of the whole pack. She went to sit by him in a silent show of both support and judgment.