Alexa’s POV
We sat before the Council in heavy silence. Aria and I faced the elders alongside Pack Elder Marcus, while the council head presided over the gathering. The chamber felt colder than usual, as if the spirits of past Alphas lingered among us. Elder Ravenwood cleared his throat, breaking the silence as all eyes turned to him.
“You said the Alpha was attacked by rogues?” he asked, his sharp gaze settling on me.
I nodded once. “Yes.”
I glanced at Aria. She was dressed entirely in black, her posture withdrawn, her eyes lowered as though grief had crushed her spirit. She looked like someone who had lost a part of herself along with the Alpha. I had said before that she could act, but even I had to admit she played the role perfectly.
“I do not believe our Alpha was killed b
