Caelan POV:
The night is thinning when the warning reaches me. Not through sound at first but through a private link.
“Alpha.” The patrol leader’s voice slides into my mind, controlled but tight at the edges. “Council envoy forced their way through the outer boundary. They invoked authority and pushed past challenge. We did not retaliate, we did not want to force the Council’s hand. They will be at the courtyard within two minutes.”
For a heartbeat, everything inside me goes cold and precise. Then I answer.
“You did exactly right. Hold your position. No escalation unless directly threatened. You respond only if I command it.”
Relief moves faintly through the link. “Yes, Alpha.”
I sever the connection and lift my gaze. Kieran is already watching me, Rhydan too. They don’t need words t
