The message arrived at 0300 hours. Torres woke Sera immediately.
“Integration Zone Seven just declared independence. Cut all ties with the Regional Council. Established autonomous governance.”
Sera pulled on clothes. “That violates the zone agreements.”
“They claim the agreements don’t apply anymore. They’ve reached eighty-seven percent integration. Say they’re a different society now. Different species effectively. Want formal recognition.”
By dawn, three more integration zones had followed. Ten thousand integrated wolves declaring themselves no longer bound by werewolf law.
Emergency council session. Thirty alphas shouting over each other.
“This is secession—”
“This is evolution—”
“We can’t allow—”
“We can’t prevent—”
The chair called order. “Alpha Marcus Stone of Silvercrest.
