The council hearing convenes at noon the following day.
Damon said one more day. We didn't get it. Elder Korrel filed for emergency review at eight in the morning, citing "ongoing safety concerns requiring immediate council attention," and by the time Caleb brought me the notice, the room was already filling.
I look at the paper. Then at Damon.
He's already dressed for it — not the tactical wear, the formal version. Alpha-at-council. His face has the closed quality again.
"We don't have everything," I say.
"I know," he says.
"The Vennark verification isn't complete—"
"I know."
He meets my eyes.
"I need you to trust that I know what I'm doing in that room," he says. "Even if what you see looks wrong."
I don't like the sound of that.
"What does that mean?" I ask.
"It means someti
