The cold stone walls of the Alpha Council’s stronghold pressed in on us as Ryker and I made our way through the dark corridors. The silence between us was palpable, but I couldn’t help the fire that sparked in my chest, a mix of anxiety and anticipation. This was it. We were about to find out what the Council’s next move was—and I wasn’t sure we were ready for what lay ahead.
“You okay?” Ryker’s voice broke the silence, his hand brushing mine for the briefest moment. It was a small gesture, but in the tense atmosphere, it felt like a lifeline.
I nodded, though I could feel the weight of the world pressing down on me. I wasn’t okay—not really—but I couldn’t afford to let him see my fear. “We need to find out what they’re planning. If they know about our bond...”
“They will,” Ryker said,
