RAIN POV
There was one more group who might have answers. One group I hated more than anything—
The Elders. And Elias, their sweet-talking puppet master who thought he could make me his little "Queen of Azrath."
Over my dead body.
Still, I swallowed my pride and called a meeting. I invited them to the courtyard. Not out of respect—but strategy. I needed their knowledge, even if I wanted to claw their faces off.
They arrived like royalty.
Not a single one of them bowed.
Not even a damn "Good morning."
They stood there like I was nothing.
Two whole weeks as Alpha, and none of them had come to see me. Not one word. Not one ounce of respect.
I kept my face cold. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing me rattled.
"Sit," I said.
They obeyed. Slowly.
I folded my arms. "Elders, I need to understand the boundary. The one that keeps us from crossing into the human territory. Why can't anyone born in the Wasteland leave?"
