"I promise." I met his gaze. "But Marcus, if they try to force Damien to reject me early, if they push for immediate consequences..."
"Then we fight. All of us." His hand covered mine on the table. "You're not alone in this."
That night, I couldn't sleep.
I stood on my balcony looking out over pack territory, feeling the power humming through me, more stable now but still building. Eleven days until my birthday. Eleven days until it peaks completely.
Could I hold on that long?
A knock at my door. I tensed, then smelled Lucas's familiar scent.
"Come in."
He entered carrying two cups of tea. "Thought you might need this. Chamomile. Helps with pre-battle nerves."
"Is that what this is? A battle?"
"What else would you call it?" He handed me a cup. "You're going before the Council to d
