After two hours of nonstop riding, we finally reached the headquarters.The council chamber was a cavernous circle of black stone, lit by floating witch-lights that cast no shadows. Twenty-one seats ringed the room, each carved with the insignia of a different founding pack. Most were filled. Alphas in formal robes, black, gray, deep crimson sat rigid in their chairs. Lunas sat next to them, their faces masks of composed dread.Raymond's seat was near the center, with the wolf's skull wrapped in thorns etched into its high back. He sat and I sat on his left side instantly.The moment my weight settled onto the cold stone, every eye in the room shifted to me. Some were curious, some hostile, but a few, the oldest Alphas, the ones with silver in their manes and scars crossing their throats looked at me like I was a ghost they hadn't expected to see.I kept my spine straight, my hands folded in my lap, and my mouth shut as my eyes swept the room for threats. My attention snagged on the ro
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