The head elder, Ezekiel, cleared his throat, his weathered hands gripping the back of his chair. "We appreciate you coming on such short notice, Your Majesty. The situation has become entirely unsustainable."
"Where is Jaxson?" I asked, noticing the empty chair usually reserved for the pack's Beta.
"He is currently down at the eastern border resolving a territory dispute," one of the other elders explained quickly. "He has been running himself ragged trying to keep this pack from falling apart at the seams."
I crossed my arms, my face remaining an unreadable mask. "And Ethan?"
A heavy, embarrassed silence fell over the council room. The elders exchanged tense glances before Ezekiel finally spoke up, his voice tight. "He is still in his quarters, Your Majesty. He has not left his room i
