Malrik POV

Quillan was already seated when we entered the hall, which meant there was no need for drawn-out greetings or ceremonial pleasantries. The venue itself had been arranged to reflect hierarchy Twelve high-backed chairs, set apart and towering above the rest, reserved exclusively for the leaders. Beneath them, a line of simpler seats waited for the betas who had accompanied us. It was a stark reminder of where true authority lay, and who was permitted to sit in its shadow.

This was ...