Malrik POV
“What absurdity,” one of the councilors barked, his voice steeped in centuries of rigid tradition. “A widow or a wolf already bound in mating cannot serve as the Luna of a Regional Alpha. Such a thing is unacceptable, and I have no doubt Alpha Everston is well aware of it.”
A ripple of murmurs stirred through the chamber, quiet voices carrying agreement until the Chairman lifted a hand for silence. His expression was calm, but there was iron in his tone.
“However,” he began, fixing his gaze firmly on me, “there is no law preventing a Regional Alpha from keeping a mistress whether one or several. In some territories, mistresses are even favored over the Luna. If a Luna wishes for her husband’s affection, the responsibility lies with her to earn it. That is her burden alone. As
