The council murmurs among themselves, voices low but urgent, like the distant rumble of thunder across a storm-dark horizon. The heavy stone walls of the hall seem to absorb and echo every fragment of sound, trapping the tension inside like a beast pacing in a cage. Torches flicker against the carved pillars, their flames bending under the weight of alpha energy and frayed emotions.
Wolves shift uneasily, claws clicking on the marble floor. Some whisper behind hands. Others stand perfectly still, rigid as statues, afraid that even the smallest movement might ripple the fragile silence and unleash chaos again.
Darius remains kneeling beside Nathan, his broad shoulders forming a protective shelter around the boy. One large hand rests on Nathan’s small shoulder, grounding him. Elaine pulls
