The Grand Council Chamber was now completely silent. The only sound was the crackle of the fire and the heavy breathing of the Alphas. Boreas was a statue of shock, unable to say a word. Issa stood still beside Val, her heart pounding frantically.

Then, a slow, mocking sound filled the air. It was Thorne, who had been leaning against a pillar in the dark part of the room; he began to clap. The sound was loud and sharp in the quiet room.

"Wow, wow, wow," Thorne said, his voice dripping with ...