Malrik POV
“Now that this has been clarified,” Drethos’s lawyer began, his voice smooth yet laced with just enough arrogance to make my wolf twitch, “we’d like to present our demands.”
The gall in his tone ignited something sharp inside me. Hade stirred, restless beneath my skin, his instincts screaming to tear the man apart limb by smug limb. But I held myself still, every muscle rigid beneath the table, fists clenched so tight they ached. Losing control here would only hand them leverage.
“The Council is listening,” the Chairman said, voice level, though I didn’t miss the quick glance he shot my way subtle, but watchful.
The lawyer stood slowly, smoothing out his expensive suit with the practiced flourish of a man too used to being heard. He cleared his throat, then delivered his fir
