Selene's POV
The room went quiet. Mia's eyes flicked from me to Marcus, measuring. Derek's hand gripped his phone so hard I could see the tendons in his wrist.
I could see them processing it. Selene, who had never once attended an Alpha Council meeting. Selene, who had spent six months ducking out of every event where Jaxon might appear. Selene, who had been happy to let Derek handle everything.
That Selene was dead. She'd drowned on a yacht with rope around her wrists.
"Since when do you care about pack politics?" Derek asked. His voice was still smooth, but something behind his eyes had gone rigid.
"Since now." I kept my voice even. "I need to start taking responsibility as the Alpha's daughter. Mom left this pack to Mia and me. I should be the one representing us."
Derek's face ti
