Zarek.
I steadied my breathing for a long moment, forcing the beast inside me to shut up. My hands were still trembling, my chest still straining against everything I was trying to cage down, but I shoved it all into the darkest corner of myself. I had to. I didn’t get a damn choice.
Slowly, I left the chamber. The hallway felt colder than before—colder than death itself—and every step echoed like the entire palace was leaning in to listen, waiting to see if I’d break.
When I entered the council hall, all the elders rose instantly and bowed their heads.
“Alpha,” they chorused.
I didn’t bother acknowledging them. I walked straight to the massive chair at the head of the table and sat, leaning back just enough to make it clear I wasn’t in the mood for their stupidity. My silence alone r
