The morning after the celebration, Sasha woke to sunlight and silence.
For a long moment, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling of her small room. Her body ached from days of tension and negotiation. Her mind raced with everything still to do. But for now, in this moment, she was warm and safe and alive.
Someone knocked gently on her door.
"Come in."
Maya entered, carrying two mugs of tea and looking far too awake for someone who'd been dancing until dawn. "Rise and shine, leader lady. Your adoring public awaits."
Sasha groaned, pulling the blanket over her head. "Five more minutes."
"You've had eighteen hours. That's enough." Maya set the tea on the bedside table and sat on the edge of the bed. "Seriously, though. There's a line of people who want to talk to you. Wolves who wan
