The main hall had been transformed into a makeshift courtroom. Elena sat at the center of a long table, flanked by Councilors Margaret and Chen. Their expressions were grave, unreadable. Professional.
On the left side of the room, Alpha Marcus sat with his Blackwater representatives and three other Alphas who'd joined his cause. They looked polished, confident. Like they'd already won.
On the right, Duke stood with Victoria, Dr. Sarah, and me. Behind us, the survivors filled every available seat. Riley. Kai. Maya. Iris with her arm around a tiny girl who couldn't have been more than fourteen. And dozens of others whose lives had been rebuilt here.
My hand rested on my swollen belly, feeling our pup kick as if sensing the tension.
"This hearing will come to order," Elena announced, her
