Alpha Ren did not interrupt.

The wolf stood in the center of the hall, knees shaking, voice uneven. Every word came out slow, careful, like stepping through fire.

“The news,” the wolf said again, forcing himself to continue, “concerns Darius.”

Alpha Ren’s fingers stopped tapping the arm of his chair.

The council leaned forward slightly. No one spoke.

“He approached Ivy during the chaos of the war,” the wolf said. “He framed it as help. Protection. Resources. Fighters.”

Alpha ...