By power.
By danger.
By a war that had just found my name.
The courtyard stayed frozen long after Tanaia disappeared through the gates. No one spoke. No one moved. Wolves remained kneeling as if their bodies no longer belonged to them, as if standing without permission might fracture something sacred.
I slowly lowered my hand from Derek’s chest.
The bond eased but did not vanish. It settled, tight and watchful, like a blade sheathed instead of lowered.
“Stand,” Derek said at last.
The command carried weight again. Wolves rose in uneven waves, eyes downcast, expressions strained. Fear and awe mingled in a way that made my skin prickle. This was not what I had intended. I had wanted clarity. Stability.
Instead, I had drawn blood in the air.
Derek turned to face the pack fully, recla
