Every older wolf's stare felt heavy, made sharper by doubt and worry.
The meeting started with talk about the villages near the border, about smoke going up past the hills, but soon those talks changed into blame. It was Varon again, his words full of hate with each sound.
"The Alpha gets weaker every day. The Luna takes his place. We are being asked to follow fake things instead of power."
The words hit hard like a rock thrown into a soft pond. Sounds of agreement followed, with quiet voices talking about Fji, about what's to come, about the breaks that got bigger each day.
Damien's hand tightened around the table's edge, his fingers white. He did not stand up, not this time, and that lack of anger made the room shake. The council wanted anger, wanted a show of Alpha power, but Damien stayed sitting, his quiet, dangerous.
