The council chamber had never felt this heavy.
Word had spread.
Not just within the palace
but across the entire pack.
The Alpha King’s mother had appeared.
And now
every high-ranking wolf, every council member, every elder
was present.
Watching.
Waiting.
The doors opened.
Kael stepped in first.
Not rushed.
Not hesitant.
Controlled.
Lyra walked beside him.
Not behind.
Beside.
That alone shifted the room.
Murmurs faded instantly.
Respect returned.
But tension
remained.
Kael took his seat at the head of the council.
Lyra took hers
right beside him.
Not a step lower.
Not secondary.
Equal.
Eyes followed her.
Some with approval.
Some with resistance.
But no one spoke against it.
Not today.
A guard’s voice cut through the silence.
“Bring her in.”
The doors ope
