The council chamber was unusually quiet that morning, yet the silence did not soothe Evelyn. It felt wrong, heavy, as though every elder present had already rehearsed their words before she even walked through the doors. She could feel their eyes follow her, judging, weighing, plotting.
Damien sat at the head of the table, his skin pale under the light of the lanterns. He wore his strength like a mask, shoulders squared, his Alpha presence radiating outward, but Evelyn knew the truth hidden beneath it. The trembling in his hands. The shortness of his breath. The way he had leaned against her for balance just moments before they entered the chamber.
George stood beside her, his face grim. He too could sense what was coming.
