They did not give me time to settle. I was summoned before noon. No greeting. No warning. Just an order carried by a guard who would not meet my eyes.
“The Council is ready.”
Ready for what, I wondered.
Judgment already felt decided.
I walked into the chamber alone. Derek was already there. Standing. Silent. Watching everything.
The Council sat in a half-circle, older wolves with sharp eyes and no patience. They did not offer me a seat.
I stayed standing.
It felt deliberate.
“Raya Tyndall,” the lead Elder said. “You stand before the Council under review.”
I nodded once.
“You are accused of destabilizing the bond order,” he continued. “Of provoking uncontrolled power. Of placing this pack at risk.”
I almost laughed.
Instead, I stayed quiet.
“Do you deny this?” another Elder ask
