Ryder's POV
The pack council met in a stone room with high windows that let in light but not air. Seven chairs, seven men and women who had been deciding Graymane matters since before I could walk. My father sat at the head. I sat at his right hand. The empty chair at his left was where Rosita would have sat if she had come back.
She had not come back.
Garrick stood behind my shoulder. Mira stood behind the door. Xander had gone home the day before with his two riders and a letter I had written to his council in my own hand, explaining what Rosita had attempted and what I expected Stoneclaw to do about it if they wanted to continue sharing a border with my hall.
Aldric set the document case on the table.
He set the copy block beside it.
He looked at the seven faces and said, "Rosita
