The council did not wait for Mira to recover. By morning, the summons arrived. Two guards stood outside Ryker’s chamber door, their posture stiff and formal. Rowan stood between them, his expression careful, he did not knock loudly, but the sound still carried weight.
“Alpha,” Rowan said when Ryker opened the door. “The council has called an emergency session. They require both of you to be present.”
Mira was awake now, seated upright on the edge of the bed. Her color had improved, but her strength had not fully returned. The bond still pressed between her and Ryker, restless and unsettled. She met his eyes, and neither of them pretended they did not understand what this meant.
“They are done waiting,” she said.
“Yes,” Ryker replied.
He did not offer his arm, and she did not ask for i
