Aurora’s Pov
After the introduction Ryan made about me being his mate, we took our seats.
The room remained uncomfortably silent. The elders exchanged looks, their expressions unreadable, before the one seated at the center, a man with silver-streaked hair and piercing grey eyes spoke first.
“I am Elder Marcus,” he said, his voice deep and authoritative. “And these are the Elders of the Council.”
One by one, they introduced themselves. Elder Vivian, the only woman in the room, had sharp, calculating eyes. Elder Damon, with scars across his knuckles, looked like he had seen many battles. Elder Tobias, with a face lined with wisdom, seemed to study me the most. And then there were the others, all-powerful figures whose approval, I realized, was essential.
I swallowed hard, my throat dr
