Chapter 16: The Council's Noose
Nathaniel's POV
The Council summons arrived at dawn, hand-delivered by a wolf I didn't recognize. Harrison read it twice before looking at me with something like pity.
"Theron Ashworth." He set the paper down carefully. "He's calling in every favor."
I stared at the formal script, each word a nail in my coffin. Appear before the Alpha Council. Answer for territorial disputes with Shadowmere. Explain my rejection and attempted reclamation of a mate. Justify my fitness to lead.
"It's a setup." I moved to the window, watching my pack start their day. Wolves I'd led for eight years, wolves who trusted me to protect them. "He's going to use Ella against me."
"He's going to use everything against you." Harrison joined me at the window. "Nathaniel, if the Cou
