Chapter 140

Author POV

It didn’t start with violence.

That was the problem.

It started with absence.

When Kaia arrived at the morning council, three elders were missing. Their seats stood empty, untouched, as if no one had dared sit where authority once had.

Caleb noticed immediately.

“They declined the summons?” he asked.

The steward swallowed. “They said… they are waiting.”

“For what?” Caleb asked.

“For proof,” the steward replied. “That the pack will not ...