Three days after the ambush, the council finally called a meeting.

I'd been expecting it. Word had spread fast about Gideon's little stunt with the Ravenclaw pack, and not everyone was happy about an outsider bringing foreign wolves onto our territory without permission.

The council chamber felt different than last time. Less hostile. More... uncertain.

Good. I could work with uncertain.

"The challenge rules are clear," Elder Maren said, fingers drumming against the ancient oak table. ...