Damon’s POV
The circle had begun to settle, the murmurs of dissent thinning into a tense but steady quiet. Rayna hadn’t only won them - she had bound them, though fragile still, like threads spun too fast.
Her gaze swept the hall, silver eyes glinting against the fire. “One more matter,” she said, her voice carrying with the certainty of command. “Each pack will choose a representative to remain here in the city. Not just today, not just tomorrow - permanently. This council cannot exist if its members vanish back to their corners of the world. This kingdom will breathe only if its heart beats every day.”
The words struck the chamber like stones tossed into water. Wolves shifted. Claws scraped stone.
The scarred Alpha leaned forward, eyes narrowed. “You would have us weaken our packs by
