“And while we debated secrecy,” Gideon replies, “a ranch dog died.”
Lydia leans forward slightly. “The human’s presence is disruptive.”
Brynn’s staff taps once against stone. “We will not assign blame without evidence.”
Gideon turns toward her. “Evidence is mounting in blood.”
Ronan’s jaw tightens. “We cannot fracture during escalation.”
“Then we confirm strength,” Gideon says smoothly. “We vote on leadership.”
Marek nods once. “A leadership vote would reassure the pack.”
Lydia’s gaze sharpens. “If confidence remains, it will hold.”
They still do not know Cassidy is my mate. They only see proximity, influence, and deviation from tradition.
I rise slowly, placing both hands on the stone table. The clearing quiets without my voice needing to rise.
“You call for a vote during an active threat,” I say.
Gideon meets my gaze without flinching. “We call for stability.”
“Stability requires continuity,” I reply. “And pack law governs when continuity may be challenged.”
Brynn watches me closely now. She’s seen more than a few leadership votes in her time.
“The Alpha Authority Clause prevents leadership votes while the pack faces an active external threat,” I continue. “We have a rogue escalating toward human retaliation. That qualifies.”
Marek frowns. “That clause is invoked rarely.”
“It exists for moments like this,” I answer.
Gideon leans back slightly, fingers steepled. “You wish to delay accountability.”
“I enforce a necessary law,” I reply.
The tension tightens, then shifts.
Brynn nods once. “The clause is valid. The vote cannot proceed.”
Ronan exhales quietly. Marek does not look pleased, but he does not argue further.
Gideon’s composure cracks just enough to reveal irritation beneath the surface. He smooths it quickly.
“You can invoke law,” he says. “You cannot silence concern.”
“I do not intend to silence it,” I reply. “I intend to resolve the threat, and when I do, there will be no need for a vote.”
His gaze holds mine a moment longer. “Then resolve it quickly.”
Ciaran steps forward. “Council is dismissed.”
Chairs scrape against stone as the elders rise. They leave in controlled silence, but their posture speaks clearly. The fracture is not healed, only postponed.
Gideon lingers a fraction longer near the doorway. He inclines his head and exits without another word.
When the clearing empties, the echo of boots fades slowly against stone. The chamber empties, but the fracture it revealed does not. Inside, the pressure continues to build within the pack. I need to stay on top of this.
