The council chamber did not feel colder.
But Luca could not stop the chill from settling along the back of his neck anyway.
Because the word removal had been spoken—
Softly.
Respectfully.
Like something temporary.
Like something reversible.
"Temporary removal ensures safety."
The phrasing hung in the air like incense.
Sanitized.
Measured.
Ridiculous.
Luca's jaw tightened.
Because exile had not been called exile.
Because protection had not been called distance.
Because survival—
Had not been called sacrifice.
Matteo did not look up from the document in front of him.
"Ritual protocol allows for interim relocation of destabilizing influence."
Destabilizing influence.
The words sat wrong in Luca's ears.
Because she had a name.
Because she had bled on their floors.
Because she had stood beneath their Alpha's declaration—
And not run.
"She is not an influence," he said quietly.
Vittorio's gaze lifted.
"She is a variable."
Ugh.
Because variables were removed.
