The Council chamber erupted into chaos.
Guards moved toward Reign, toward the Shadow Alpha, toward each other. No one knew who the enemy was anymore. The elders shouted contradicting orders while wolves outside screamed as battle consumed the streets.
Reign's mind raced. The Shadow Alpha wanted her to choose sides. To either join his rebellion or defend the Council that had exiled her. Both options served him.
So she chose neither.
"Stand down," she commanded her wolves.
Tarek looked at her like she'd lost her mind. "My Queen, we're surrounded—"
"I said stand down." She faced the Shadow Alpha. "You want the Council destroyed. Fine. But not like this. Not with your puppet strings attached."
The Shadow Alpha laughed. "You think you have leverage?"
"I think you need me more than you'r
