~Whispers of the Council~

EIRA

The council chamber smelled of old wood and candle wax, the kind of scent that made you think of history. I stepped inside, and the murmurs stopped almost immediately.

All eyes turned toward me, some expectant, some wary. Elrich was beside me, silent as always, letting me carry the first step. I could feel the tension in the room—the pack had felt it for days, but no one had voiced it yet.

“Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” I said, keeping ...