The atmosphere in the Moonrise council chambers was charged with a palpable tension, a kind of quiet that felt foreign in a room so often filled with the hum of political games. The heavy scent of parchment and ancient wood hung in the air, mingling with the subtle undertone of freshly polished stone. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting intricate patterns across the old table, illuminating the solemn faces of the council members.
Aria had been summoned again. But this time, there was no sense of dread. There was no expectation of reprimand or judgment. Instead, it felt like an invitation to a battlefield, one where her voice would be weighed against the heavy weight of tradition and power. The note had come earlier that morning, delivered by a young beta who had bowed deep
