Jefferson's POV
The silence stretched between us like a taut wire, broken only by the gentle pop and hiss of flames dancing in the fireplace. Julian's intense stare pressed against me with all the force of his Alpha presence, challenging me to show weakness. I refused to give him that satisfaction. My face remained carved from granite, betraying nothing of the storm brewing beneath the surface.
This decision wasn't about my ego. It was about survival - my pack's survival, the realm's future, my crown. Forming an alliance with Julian felt like opening the gates to chaos itself. The man was volatile, calculating, and twisted in ways that defied comprehension.
But damn him, he was right about one thing.
War was inevitable.
My wolf could sense it prowling just beyond the horizon, and if my instincts proved accurate, this conflict wouldn't just threaten my throne. It would consume everything in its path.
"I'll have the documents prepared to make this official."
