Forsaken’s POV
The council didn’t deliberate long.
Too many of them had seen her hold that light steady with Kael’s blade at her throat. Too many had felt the bond lock between me and Ridah when the moon broke. You can’t deny what’s in front of your face, even when it scares you.
Mara called us back into the hall at dawn.
Ridah stood straight, chin up, no fear. She hadn’t slept. Neither had I. The bond kept us both wired, keyed to each other’s tension.
“Alpha Forsaken, Ridah Hale,” Mara said. Her voice was flat. Measured. “The council has reached a decision.”
Kael sat to her left, jaw tight. He’d voted no. I could see it in his eyes.
“The Binding Law stands,” Mara said. “The womb curse remains forbidden. But exceptions can be made… under direct Alpha supervision, and wit
