|| Lilac’s POV ||

The council hall's heavy oak doors swung shut behind me with a finality that echoed in my bones. I pressed my palms against my thighs, willing them to stop trembling. The scent of melted flesh and wolfsbane still clung to my clothes, no matter how many times I scrubbed at my arms.

Witches. In the council. Among us.

A familiar laugh cut through the murmurs of departing Alphas. Elara waved. She was with Astrid and Madeline near the gardens, her auburn ...