Audrey’s POV
Silence filled the council chamber when we entered.
The elders sat around the long wooden table, their expressions unreadable, but suspicious. The air felt heavier than usual, thick with something I couldn’t name.
Mira stood near the door, arms crossed, watching. Aiden was nowhere in sight.
Luke and I stepped forward, stopping just a few feet from the elders.
Elder Marcus leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes clinch onto me. "You’ve been busy."
I kept my expression calm. "I’ve been training."
Maren lifted her head. "Training, Sitting beside our Alpha, Standing with him in public." Her lips curled slightly. "Some would say you’re preparing for something."
I didn’t react. "I’m preparing to survive."
Marcus smiled. "Good. Then you won’t have any objections to what happ
