Thor POV

I stood on the dais, my spine straight as a blade, my Lycan senses fanning out to press against every corner of the cavernous hall.

Beneath my skin, my wolf coiled like a loaded spring, primed to lash out at the smallest provocation. Below me, the council sat in a tight, uneasy half-circle, their gazes flicking between the vacant throne and the woman standing alone on the floor.

Kattie.

She'd chosen a gown the color of dried blood, her chin tilted upward in a practiced show of defiance. But I c