Jack's POV
The ride to the Council Hall was done in silence.
No one made any jokes. No one spoke. The only sound was just the sound of the armored vehicle and the clinking of my chains whenever we hit a bump.
Rhea sat opposite me, her expression was unreadable. Not that I was in any mood to read it.
Torin watched the trees blur past like a bored seven year old, I bet being cooped up in an armored car wasn't exactly the way he thought he would be spending his weekend.
Bren drove, he was the only one who looked like he was in his natural habitat.
They felt bad. I knew they did. But duty was duty and the Council's authority was absolute.
Defying it, even for a mate, had consequences. I know that.
But Michael hadn't given me any choice when he grabbed her in that Gala. Now, he was playing victim and I was in chain facing exile or Imprisonment, possible disgrace.
The stakes weren't just my freedom; it was my ability to protect Kai, to be the shield I'd promised to be.
