The Grand Hall emptied in silence.
Half the Alphas had pledged themselves to Kaelira.
The other half had walked away beside Alpha Magnus, their loyalty shattered before it had ever truly begun.
The heavy doors slammed shut behind them.
The sound echoed through the palace like a warning.
War was no longer coming.
It had already begun.
Kaelira watched from the throne, her chest tight with disappointment.
She had hoped words could unite them.
Instead, they had only exposed how deeply the kingdoms were divided.
Before she could speak, angry voices erupted outside the council chamber.
Then came the unmistakable sound of steel leaving its sheath.
Kaelira and Lucien rushed into the corridor.
The sight before them stopped them cold.
Darian had his sword drawn.
Ronan stood opposite h
