JACKSON

There was no escaping this.

We were already seated inside the Pack Council chamber, the most feared room in the entire city. The walls felt too close, built with cold stone and old magic that clung to the air like smoke. The elders sat in their high black chairs, their faces stern, their eyes were sharper than wolf claws. Their presence alone was enough to make a grown wolf kneel.

It was I, Lena, Selene, and the hospital director who were present. We bowed slightly to show respect, ...