---
They didn’t wait three days.
Of course they didn’t.
I woke to Darius’s arm around me like steel, to Elias’s small Lycan body curled against my back, to the smell of blood and smoke.
“Get up,” Darius whispered, already moving, already shifting clothes over his scarred Lycan chest. “Now, Elara.”
Explosions rocked the palace walls.
The Council had come.
I was on my feet in seconds, grabbing Elias and pulling him with me. He didn’t cry. He didn’t even flinch. My Lycan son was already a warrior.
“They’re in the east wing,” Darius growled, pressing a silver Lycan-blessed dagger into my hand. “They’re trying to kill you before you can speak at the Gathering.”
My stomach clenched. Our Lycan daughter kicked like she was trying to get out of the way. “What about the pack?”
“Asleep. Dru
