Angel's POV
"Someone," the Alpha continued, each word sharp as steel, "put that snake in there deliberately."
The crowd erupted in shocked murmurs.
"Who would do such a thing?" Uriel's voice cut through the noise, deadly quiet in a way that made my skin prickle. His usual gentleness had vanished, replaced by something cold and furious.
No one answered.
The Alpha's gaze swept across the gathered warriors. "Whoever did this has one chance to come forward now. One chance to confess and face punishment with some shred of dignity." He paused, letting the words sink in. "Because if I have to investigate myself, if I have to hunt down the culprit... that person will die by my bare hands."
Still, no one moved.
"Who was last seen near the tent?" the Alpha demanded.
A warrior stepped forward - one of the younger ones, his face pale. "It was Lyra, Alpha. She was setting it up. I saw her working on it alone for at least twenty minutes."
