Bramwell's POV
The inquiry's twenty-second day produced the thing I had been dreading.
Elder Renatta read the procedural finding: Marcelline Argot guilty on all seven counts, sentence confirmed. Then she read the addendum.
"Given the scope of the Matron's influence within the council's administrative structure," she said, "the inquiry recommends a full review of council appointments over the last five years. This review would include the Alpha's administrative decisions."
There it was.
Three council members immediately called for a vote on suspending my authority during the review period. Two others moved to table the discussion. The remaining seven looked at the floor, the ceiling, and various points in the middle distance.
I raised my hand. The room quieted.
"I support the review,
