The conference room glowed with the cold light of several screens, each displaying a live feed from different territories. The scent of coffee and rain clung to the air — the kind of charged quiet that came before difficult decisions.
Crystal sat beside Dustin at the long wooden table, her hand resting lightly against his arm. Bane and Lizzy occupied the seats nearest them, the Beta couple looking sharper and more grounded than anyone else in the room. It was nearing dusk, the pale light cutting through the high windows like thin blades of gold.
“Alpha Rowan of Silvermist,” Dustin began, nodding to the northern feed. The grizzled older man inclined his head, a scar slicing through one eye. Behind him, the frosted woods of his territory stretched wide and silent. “Alpha Sienna of Moonvale
