While the alphas gathered in the grand hall to discuss strategies against Silas, the Lunas held their own parallel council in one of the sunlit reception chambers. Ruby had expected nerves, expected to feel like an outsider among women who had been born into this world, raised for it, shaped by centuries-old traditions she was still learning to navigate.
Instead, she walked in holding her notes and left several seasoned Lunas blinking at her like she’d turned the tables without even trying. Ruby sat at the head of the table, fingers laced, trying not to fidget. Dozens of eyes, sharp, seasoned, and evaluating were trained on her. Lunas from some of the oldest packs were present: austere, elegant, imposing women with confident strides and centuries of pack politics at their backs. Many of t
