Jessica's POV
The heavy oak doors of the council chamber slammed shut behind us with a final, echoing thud. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat. The air in here was cold and stale, smelling like old books and even older men. And judgment. So much judgment.
Sebastian led us to a row of chairs against the wall and gestured for me to sit. I didn't. I stood behind him, my hands clenched at my sides, as the council members—ancient-looking wolves with sharp eyes and cold faces—took their seats at the long table. Alistair Hale, Sebastian's father, sat at the head. His gaze swept over his sons, and the disappointment in his gray-green eyes felt like a physical chill. Then his eyes found me. They narrowed. I shivered, and it had nothing to do with fear and everything to do
