ARIA POV
"The female should not be here," growled Alpha Damon, slamming his fist on the old oak table. "This council has been male-only for five hundred years."
I stood my ground as seven pairs of eyes glared at me. We had barely fled the Silvercrest ambush three days ago, and here I was, standing in the sacred meeting cave of the Alpha Council with nothing but Lucien at my side.
"I am Alpha of Moonclaw Pack," I said, keeping my voice steady. "And I have as much right to be here as any of you."
Alpha Damon snorted. His huge shoulders made him look like he could snap me in half with one hand. "A true Alpha leads with strength, not tricks and magic."
"Is that why your pack is losing territory to humans every year?" I shot back before I could stop myself. The words hung in the air like a physical blow.
The meeting room went silent. I felt Lucien tense beside me, ready to defend me if required.
