Taren grins around a bite of meat, a strip of it still dangling from her fork. “That’s my pack business.”
Of course it is.
I bite back a retort. This isn’t just a gathering of wolves. This is my first time sitting with the council as a member.Not an outsider. Not a problem they’d rather pretend didn’t exist. Strength matters here, but so does restraint. If this council is going to survive what’s coming, we need to learn how to work together.
Which means respecting boundaries, even when they irritate me.
So, I let it go, just as I expect them to respect mine. Rowan won’t be leaving my side for this meeting, council seat or not.
The air ripples outside, then settles. Once. Twice. Three times.
Bram lets out a low whistle from his seat. “Is your witch dropping alphas off like parcels,” he asks, “or should we be preparing for something more…interesting?”
Taren gives him a blank stare and goes back to finishing her food, which has brought even more color back to her face.
At least I’m not the only one unimpressed by his sense of humor.
I turn my attention to the door, tracking every second, every shift in the air. None of this is being done the way it always has, but the old way led us here. Change is overdue.
I can only hope it’s come in time to still matter.
For the packs, and for my mate.
When the alphas finally enter, there’s no ceremony. No guards flanking the walls. No betas posturing behind them. Just wolves stepping into a meeting that once dictated their lives from behind closed doors.
I remain standing as Elias brushes against my mind.
First is Brynn Hale,he reports.She’s taking over forMilo in Glacier.Dax has the shaved head. We talked to him before, and he’s replacing Calder. Last will be Kael for Thornwell. He’s replacing Eamon.
Thank you,I offer before watching the three of them find their places around the table. Each stare lingers a second too long on Rowan, who sits beside me, calm, composed, and unyielding.
I say nothing.
For now.
“Welcome to NightShade,” I announce. “We appreciate that you were able to arrive on such short notice.”
Kael scoffs. “That red-headed witch made it sound like we had no choice.”
My gaze cuts to Taren, who has finally finished eating. “You didn’t call each of them personally?”
“I didn’t think we had time.”
Considering how helpful she was when we had her locked in a room, I expected more from her, but that’s fine. As long as we can all find a way to work together for the packs, we don’t have to get along.
We’re not here to be friends.
“Then let’s get straight to it.” I take my seat last, something which they all notice and don’t remain quiet about.
Brynn tilts her head slightly, silver eyes sharp. “Have we already voted to put you in charge of the council meetings, and the rest of us missed it?”
I gesture around the table, holding her stare. “You’re welcome to take over.”
My wolf stirs, pleased.Smart move,he murmurs.No need to demand respect. Let them offerit.
That wasn’t exactly my intention, but I’ll take the result.
No one else volunteers, so I continue, already eager to be done.
