Elder Miriam paced the length of the council chamber, her footsteps echoing against the stone walls. The other Elders watched her with varying degrees of concern etched on their faces. The evening's events had not gone according to plan.
"He's growing stronger," Elder Marcus said, breaking the tense silence. "The binding spell should have brought him to his knees, yet he still managed to invoke ancient law."
Miriam stopped pacing and turned to face the group. "Which is precisely why we must act now. We cannot allow him to gain any more ground."
Elder Sarah, the oldest among them, leaned forward in her chair. "Perhaps we underestimated his connection to the girl. Even with the mating bond blocked, his will to protect her is... remarkable."
"Or dangerous," Miriam countered sharply. "Ever
