The council hall was carved into the stone heart of Blackmoor Ridge, ancient and imposing. Torches flickered against its rough-hewn walls as Alphas from surrounding packs murmured among themselves. Tension ran beneath their conversations like a taut wire. The air itself felt charged.
Joseph and Luca stood side by side, dressed in ceremonial black—Alpha wear, though neither felt at ease under the scrutinizing stares of the assembled leaders. Maria was absent by design; she had stayed behind to avoid the political games, to rest after the Bone Circle ordeal. This meeting was to finalize the defensive alliance against the Buried Ones.
At least, that had been the plan.
Until he arrived.
Xavier strode into the circle of Alphas with calculated arrogance. Dressed in dark steel-trimmed leather
