Syria’s POV
“Even if the envoy’s words are harsh, you are the Alpha. You must think about the tribe’s long-term good.”
Hearing that felt like someone poured cold water down my spine. For a second, I almost forgot Kael’s mother was standing right there. I had always known she carried doubts about me—about my unclear identity, about my abilities she thought were unproven or exaggerated. But it still stung hearing her say those words out loud, especially after everything the envoy had just thrown in my face.
What made it worse was the look on her face. She wasn’t just suspicious anymore. She looked convinced. Persuaded. As if the envoy’s insults were some kind of truth she finally felt confident enough to state. Kael stood there too, but he didn’t say anything. His silence felt like anothe
