|| Lilac’s POV ||

The council chamber smelled of polished oak and tension. My fingers tightened around the delicate teacup as I watched the amber liquid swirl, catching flickering candlelight. The air hummed with quiet conversations and the clink of fine china, a civilized prelude to what I knew would be anything but civilized.

One week until the election.

One week until the world changes. Unless the alpha king does something.

I glanced at Alaric who was standing in ...