Kane
The weight of the council's command pressed against my chest like a physical force. Every step away from the council chamber felt like walking through molten lead. My wolf was a tempest inside me—rage, pain, and protective fury battling in a violent internal storm.
Darren fell into step beside me, his beta senses picking up on my turbulent emotional state. "What did they say?" he asked quietly, his voice low enough that no wandering ears could catch our conversation.
I stopped in a secluded corridor, my hands bracing against the stone wall. The cool surface did nothing to calm the fire burning inside me. "They want me to claim Crystal. Completely abandon our plans with Dalia and the Gold Palace."
Darren's intake of breath was sharp. "And Luna?"
"Exile," I whispered, the word fee
