“We require it,” another replied.
I let the fury simmer muted but lethal in my chest. “Fine,” I said. “But understand this.” I leaned in, voice barely more than a whisper. “You’re not the only ones watching.”
Deryn frowned. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing you’ll live long enough to appreciate.”
The chamber was quiet, and if the silence had been heavy before, now, it was afraid.
“You know what’s interesting,” Diesel said loudly, breaking every rule of decorum in this damned chamber. “From where I’m standing? Looks like the only thing that needs dealing with in here is the collective brain cell you Council members share.”
Every alpha at the table jerked back as if he’d thrown a rock at their heads. Killian made a strangled noise. Rowen’s fingers tightened around mine. I shut my eyes for one second, praying to the Goddess for strength.
Deryn stood so fast his chair scraped across the wooden floor of the dais. “You will silence your dog?—”
Diesel barked a laugh. “Dog? No. This can’t be right. It’s a fucked-up day when I’m thepoliteone. If my alpha wasn’t in the room, I’d be less polite.”
“Diesel,” I warned.
He ignored me completely. He stepped forward just enough to be noticed but not enough to be dragged out and executed for stepping over the line. No, he was in the sweet spot. That place between insubordination and outright rebellion. Of course, he was the kind of wolf to have memorized its location.
“You’re worried about Wolfe’s dominion?” Diesel said, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Worried Wolfe’s too strong? Too respected? Too followed?” He shrugged. “Sounds like a you problem. Not a Pack Council problem.”
The older male sputtered. “This is highly?—”
“Accurate?” Diesel offered.
“Inappropriate!” Deryn snapped.
Diesel blinked slowly. “So is accusing my alpha of treason because we need more wolves like him and fewer alphas like you.”
Killian moved closer to him, his hand on his arm. Diesel shook him off like he weighed nothing.
“And let’s talk about what you’re really so rattled about,” Diesel continued, pacing now. “You all smell it on him. You know his claim is real. You knowexactlywhat it means. But instead of maybe respecting it—since, you know, he’s a worthy alpha—you want to call him a traitor?” He held up both hands. “I mean, sure. That’s one strategy. A dumb one.”
One elder actually giggled. Rowen’s wolf purredthrough the bond, amused and approving. Mine did the opposite.
I stepped forward a fraction. “Diesel.”
He turned his head only slightly. “What? I’m helping.”
“You’re going to get executed.”
“I’d like to see them try.”
Deryn slammed his hand on the table. “Alpha! Control your subordinate!”
Diesel smirked. “Good luck with that.”
I exhaled murderously. “Diesel. Stand down.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “Are you telling me or asking nicely in front of the Council?”
Rowen placed a hand on my arm. “Wolfe…”
Her quiet warning grounded me in a way nothing else could. I didn’t break eye contact with her. “Diesel,” I said again, voice lethal.
He grinned. “Fine. Fine. I’ll behave.” A pause. “Mostly.”
