Jolie POV

The Council chamber was carved from living stone, walls smooth and ancient. Torches burned in iron brackets, casting dancing shadows across faces I didn't recognize. Powerful alphas from every major pack in the region, all here to watch me.

To judge me.

My boots echoed on the stone floor as I walked to the center. Ryder was behind me, his presence a solid wall at my back. The whole Iron Fangs pack had come, flanking us like an honor guard.

Or a funeral procession.

The Council sat on a ...