Malrik POV

“What absurdity,” one of the councilors barked, his voice steeped in centuries of rigid tradition. “A widow or a wolf already bound in mating cannot serve as the Luna of a Regional Alpha. Such a thing is unacceptable, and I have no doubt Alpha Everston is well aware of it.”

A ripple of murmurs stirred through the chamber, quiet voices carrying agreement until the Chairman lifted a hand for silence. His expression was calm, but there was iron in his tone.

“However,” he ...