BRAHAM'S POVThe room was circular, with tiered seating rising up around a central floor. Every seat was full; Alphas from all fifteen territories under my jurisdiction, Elders from multiple packs, high-ranking wolves, and observers.At the center of the floor stood Roy, mid-speech, his expression one of false concern that barely masked his satisfaction.All eyes turned to me.I stood in the doorway for a long moment, letting them look. Letting them see that I was here, I was whole, and I was completely unbothered by their judgment.Then I walked down the central aisle toward my chair—an enormous thing carved from a single piece of ancient oak, positioned at the head of the circle where everyone could see me.Roy was still standing in the center, frozen mid-gesture."Alpha King," he said, injecting false relief into his voice. "We were beginning to worry. Given your absence, we thought perhaps…""You thought what, Roy?" I interrupted, settling into my chair with deliberate casualness.
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