(Cassian)
Father pushed his chair back and stood. His eyes moved from Warren to the other council members. Nobody had expected the hearing to turn against him. Bernard remained beside his chair, waiting for instructions.
"You have no authority to suspend me," Father declared. "I am the Alpha of Blackridge, and this council was assembled to discuss my son's behavior. You cannot turn this into a hearing against me. I refuse to recognize your proposal."
"Then you may formally object," Warren answered. "But the council has the authority to suspend an Alpha when credible evidence suggests he has endangered another pack. Your objections will be recorded. The vote will proceed."
I watched Father return to his chair. His hands rested on the table as Warren explained the voting procedure. Five
