Asher’s POV
That b***h really called the council on me.
My fingers curled tighter around the steering wheel, white-knuckled, rage burning hot in my chest. The silence in the car was thick—until Isabella’s hand gently covered mine. The contact cut through my fury just enough to loosen my grip.
“Don’t let your emotions cloud you, Asher,” she said softly, her voice a balm against the chaos in my head. “We’re going to the council. You have to be firm, okay? Don’t lose control.”
I sucked in a breath. Let it out slowly. Again.
“I’ll be calm,” I muttered, though my eyes stayed fixed on the road, not on her. I couldn’t meet her gaze. Not yet.
We pulled up to the council building—its cold, towering presence felt more like a threat than anything. I stepped out, took Isabella’s hand, holding on
