"Guys," Violet said firmly, cutting through the tension gathering in the room again. "Arguing about this all night won't take us anywhere. I've already decided, I'm doing this."
All four cardinal alphas immediately broke into heated protest.
But Violet held up a hand. "I know you're worried. Truly, I do. But other heirs before me survived this Trial, so why can't I? It's not an impossible task."
Their outrage dropped to grumbling. They were still unhappy, sure, sure, but not close enough to flip the table.
Violet lifted her chin, stubborn confidence settling into her spine. "Besides, have you forgotten who raised me? Nancy could talk the stripes off a zebra. There was no way in hell I couldn't talk at least one ancestor into giving me their blessing. No one survives an argument with me."
