Ethan's POV
Marlus strode into my office, his expression grim but focused. He carried a file under one arm, and I could already feel the pending news pressing into the room like a storm cloud.
“Final preparations are in place,” he began without preamble, dropping the folder onto my desk. “Reinforcements are stationed around the Council grounds: our warriors are positioned at key entry points, and allied Pack members are on standby in the perimeter zones.”
I nodded, flipping open the folder. Inside were detailed maps of the Council chambers, marked with defensive placements and fallback positions. It was thorough, but then, Marlus was nothing if not meticulous.
“And the contingencies?” I asked, scanning the map.
“In motion,” Marlus replied. “If the Rogues make a move, we’ll funnel them
