The Grand Council chamber was a theater of archaic power, constructed from dark mahogany, polished brass, and centuries of unyielding tradition. Tonight, however, it had been reduced to a corrupt kangaroo court.

Kaelen Thorne knelt in the center of the circular room. Thick, runic-carved silver cha

Silence reigned in the Grand Council chamber, broken only by the ragged, terrified breathing of the Alphas forced to the floor.

Elara stood in the center of the wreckage, a terrifying vision of sovereign authority. She looked down at Julian, whose eyes were fixed on the heavy silver ring on her fi

Julian lay in the ruins of the mahogany table, wheezing and clutching his shattered ribs. He spat a mouthful of blood onto the pristine stone floor, his eyes darting frantically between the terrifying Alpha standing over him and the impassive Sovereign watching from behind.

"You can't do this," Ju