KELLY THOMPSON'S POV

The grand hall of the royal palace echoed with the low murmur of gathered pack leaders, their presences like living pillars of strength amongst the shadows. I stood at the head of the room, my fingers brushing against the cool surface of the ancient stone table that had been a silent witness to countless councils before. Tonight, it was not just history looking over us, but the future, precarious and teetering on the edge of darkness.

"Leaders of our great packs," I began, ...