The great hall of Ash Vale pulsed with unease.
Carved from the mountain itself, its high arching beams still glistened faintly with frost, the faint scent of pine and steel hanging in the air. Fires burned low in stone braziers, throwing restless shadows over the gathered alphas and betas.
At the long central table, Alpha Rowan Ashvale sat at the head — a man of broad shoulders and iron-gray hair, his golden eyes sharp as an eagle’s. His mate, Beta Selene, stood just behind him, lean and silent, her silver-streaked braid falling over one shoulder.
Crystal sat beside Dustin, feeling the tension hum through the bond between them like a low current. Every wolf in the hall was on edge.
Dustin’s voice broke through the quiet first.
“Thank you for hosting this council, Rowan. We have reason
