King Aldric just stood there, frozen. The whole chamber was silent, every eye locked on him, the air so heavy it felt like it might crush him right where he stood.
His face twisted, desperate and trapped, like a wolf with no way out.
"Guards," he snapped. "Clear this chamber of the traitor and everyone who came with him. This session is"
"This session," interrupted an older woman rising from the tiered seating, her voice carrying the particular authority of someone rarely challenged, "will continue exactly as the council charter requires, Your Majesty, or you'll find yourself explaining to every pack representative present precisely why testimony regarding attempted regicide isn't worth this chamber's attention."
The nobles started to murmur, then voices rose, louder and braver. One by
