The council chamber did not stay quiet for long.
Power never did.
By midday, word had already spread beyond Kael’s territory.
And by evening,
they arrived.
The Alphas.
The great hall was filled again, but this time
it was different.
This was not internal.
This was judgment.
Lyra stood beside Kael as they entered.
Not behind him.
Not slightly back.
Beside him.
And this time
everyone noticed.
Among the gathered leaders, her gaze caught on a woman standing near the front.
Tall.
Composed.
Dressed in deep crimson and black.
Not just elegant
intentional.
Her presence carried weight.
And her eyes
were on Kael.
Not briefly.
Constantly.
Lyra didn’t need to ask who she was.
But Kael leaned slightly closer anyway.
“Selene,” he murmured.
“Commander of the eastern territo
