Ember's POV
The handcuffs were so tight they were cutting off my circulation.
"These are unnecessary," I said as the Council guards led me into a makeshift courtroom they'd set up in the pack house.
"All tri-bond subjects are considered dangerous," High Elder Grimm replied coldly.
They'd separated me from Ash and the babies an hour ago. I didn't even know where my children were, and the not-knowing was killing me.
"Where are my babies?" I demanded.
"Safe. For now."
The courtroom was packed with pack members who'd been dragged from their beds to witness this trial. Their faces showed confusion and fear.
In the front row, I saw Cade sitting with his hands clenched into fists. His eyes met mine for just a second, and I felt a flicker of our old connection.
But we had to pretend that connection didn't exist.
"Ember Frost," High Elder Grimm announced. "You stand accused of unnatural mating practices that threaten the stability of werewolf society."
