The great council chamber filled quickly, the shuffle of boots and the murmur of uneasy voices echoing beneath the high stone ceiling. Officials, elders, and warriors filed in, each lowering their heads in deference to Alpha Damian, who now sat at the head of the table like a predator on his throne. His aura dominated the room, pressing down on every chest like a physical weight.
Theo stood to his right, Jihoo slightly behind, still pale but carrying a spark of determination he hadn’t before.
When all had gathered, silence fell like a blade.
Damian’s gaze swept the room—sharp, lingering, stripping every man and woman bare of pretense. None dared to meet his eyes for long; those who tried found themselves quickly glancing down, their throats dry.
“Speak,” Damian commanded, his tone deep
