The next morning, Riley faced the Northern Coalition again.
Tyler was back. A bruise on his jaw. Smirking.
"My apologies for yesterday," he said. Not sounding sorry at all. "I may have... overstepped."
"You did," Riley said coolly. "It won't happen again."
"Of course not, my queen."
The negotiations resumed.
But Riley noticed something. The Alphas were dividing. Some genuinely wanted change. Others were testing her. Seeing if she was strong enough to lead.
"You talk about equality," one Alpha said. "But what about tradition? We've had the class system for centuries. It works."
"For who?" Riley challenged. "For royals, yes. But what about rogues? Exiles? Wolves born into poverty?"
"Some wolves are meant to lead. Others to follow. That's nature."
"Nature doesn't mean cruelty." Rile
