Zane
“Your nephew,” Elder Tobias said. “Kaius is of age. A strategic marriage alliance could strengthen our position while we wait for your heir. Also—”
“No.” The words left my lips before I even thought of it.
All five elders stared at me.
“No?” Marius repeated carefully.
“Kaius makes his own choices regarding marriage.” My voice was firm. “I won’t force him into a political arrangement.”
“Even if it benefits the pack?” Cora challenged.
“Even then.”
Silence fell across the table.
I could feel their judgment. Their confusion. It was obvious they had expected me to agree immediately, to see the strategic value in using Kaius as a backup plan.
But I could not.
Not after seeing the look on Tiana’s face when I had asked her to do exactly that. Not after hearing the defeat in her voi
