The Panthera's council chamber felt too quiet, the usual rustle of silk and whispered conversations replaced by a heavy silence. Seven empty chairs surrounded the Patron's seat—the omegas of Alec's harem now confined to the infirmary, their absence a stark reminder of what they faced.
Agnes stood before the remaining Elders, her formal robes a sharp contrast to her recent dishevelment. The past forty-eight hours had aged her visibly, but her voice remained strong as she addressed the emergency session.
"The corruption spreads. Our Patron has been placed in a magical coma, unreachable even to his harem's bonds. The pregnant omegas sicken. We cannot wait for Alec to recover—the Panthera must have a Patron, even temporarily, or our pack bonds will continue to weaken."
Along the chamber's w
