Three days passed before Elara was ready to face Marlena. Three days of rebuilding. Three days of judgments. Three days of learning what it meant to be queen while also learning what it meant to be hers—Kael's mate, fully and openly at last. The compound transformed in those days. Walls repaired. Relationships mended. Wolves who'd spent months afraid to speak now found their voices, sharing stories of Marlena's cruelty, of loved ones lost, of hope nearly extinguished. Each story was a stone in Elara's heart. Each story also strengthened her resolve. Marlena would face justice. Not revenge—justice. There was a difference, and Elara intended to honor it. --- The trial was set for dawn on the fourth day. Elara rose before the sun, dressing in the simple clothes she'd worn since arrivi

