Simon's POV
The room was quiet, save for the subtle creaking of wood as Kai fidgeted in his chair. He sat stiffly across from me, trying hard to project strength, but I could sense the unease in his posture. Young, perhaps twenty at most, with storm-colored eyes like his father's, but his hands were clenched tightly in his lap.
I'd been in his position once, thrust into power with more pressure than preparation. But that didn't mean I could afford to be lenient.
"My pack doesn't seek dominance, Kai," I began, keeping my voice calm but resolute. "We want to survive. And for that, we need allies we can trust."
He didn't respond immediately. His gaze flicked toward the window, where faint sunlight streaked through the dust-speckled glass.
"I don't trust easily anymore," he fi
