BRAHAM'S POV
The room was circular, with tiered seating rising up around a central floor. Every seat was full; Alphas from all fifteen territories under my jurisdiction, Elders from multiple packs, high-ranking wolves, and observers.
At the center of the floor stood Roy, mid-speech, his expression one of false concern that barely masked his satisfaction.
All eyes turned to me.
I stood in the doorway for a long moment, letting them look. Letting them see that I was here, I was whole, and I was completely unbothered by their judgment.
Then I walked down the central aisle toward my chair—an enormous thing carved from a single piece of ancient oak, positioned at the head of the circle where everyone could see me.
Roy was still standing in the center, frozen mid-gesture.
"Alpha King," he
