It came from Cael.
Not in council.
Not in ceremony.
In the middle of the pack, as if he had decided the timing didn’t belong to tradition anymore.
Denise and Liam were crossing the central path when he stepped in front of them.
No tension in his stance.
No challenge.
Just intent.
The pack around them slowed automatically.
Watching.
Waiting.
Cael looked at them both for a long moment before speaking.
“The council will stop trying to regulate your bond,” he said.
Denise blinked once.
That was unexpected.
Liam didn’t react outwardly, but Denise felt it through the bond—the slight tightening of focus.
Cael continued.
“That debate has ended.”
A pause.
Denise frowned slightly.
“That was fast.”
Cael’s expression didn’t change.
“It wasn’t fast,” he said. “It was inevitable.”
