The Counci

hands were co

, pulling the silver bolt from Ro

chest. Derek was outside in the hall, pacing. He'd left the momen

es never l

er said to her. "You've bee

she's safe," S

to Rowan. "The Council has called

dded. "I

me," Selene

wan corrected. "You d

ed before she

m. "They're here, Alpha. The Coun

ing his shoulder. "Good.

-

e blood was gone, the bodies removed, the stone scr

four Council members. Her shoulder wa

ered, the room

elene followed, Mira cradled against her. The child

t. He didn't l

ped in front of

lled,"

eaking Chamber law by shifting in session, endangering the Council with u

e," Rowa

pled throug

s thin. "Then y

ter," Rowan said. "If that's

ene. "And the mother? She

ild," Rowan said. "A

blood cannot inherit. A human cannot claim pack right

squirm. She tig

the law," S

ad turne

ed. "A rog

k. I left because you made it unsafe for me and my daughter.

ed at her,

y spoke. "Sh

m went

t I'm not blind. She's safer with her mother and her father tha

s. Legally, biologically. I'll

ld surrender your claim? A hum

erek said. "I never had he

to argue, but Elder

oug

Council, quiet for most of the

te orphans. The child has Rowan's scent. She was born of the B

ked at

han half the wolv

mouth, but Tor

nd risk civil war? Or do we recognize the chi

members exch

ne, hand

even.

idn't

Toren said. "Th

isn't over, Rowan. You've m

rd. "And you've mad

elene and exte

or half a second.

d her and M

aid, voice carrying through the c

ds bowed

e pack

wly, the

xcept

ithout ano

eath she didn't kno

er. Mara wou

night, Mir

st time, Selene

-