Rayder took a few seconds to react after the council man announced the investigation. The silence that followed was heavy, almost suffocating, broken only by the irregular breathing of the omega kneeling on the floor, still trembling after the threat that had almost materialized. The smell of fear was so dense it impregnated the dining room air, mixing with the bitter aroma of spilled coffee and Rayder's own barely contained hatred.

He forced his shoulders to relax and rehearsed a ...