el

as saying, his voice calm but cutting, every word

s he went on. "Lyra is not just an Omega she's hiding

red, their eyes shifting from Aldric to me and then back to each ot

ally, my voice steady. "And she hasn't

. "The question isn't what she's done, Alpha. It's what she's capable of. You saw it you

sisted, my voice firm. "And I won

d, his dark gaze calculating as he watched me. "I

ying to get under my skin. "This isn't about personal feelings, Al

stood their thoughts: an outsider among us, someone we hardly understood, and the way

may... I believe the council should at least consider the possibility that her presence here could disrupt th

g to me. "Alpha, Aldric raised a fair point. If this girl has powers we don't fully

or at least, my certainty that I would ensure it. "I understand your concerns, Maric,

noble of you, Alpha. But remember...

y keeping my frustration in check. Aldric walk

with her, aren't you?" h

at?" I shot back, no

hat your judgment seems... compromised. An

she's a risk? Fine. But you would be mistaken if

d, "I'm only looking out for the pack. Bu

back in a cold voice. "And sincerely,

Maybe not. But I know one thing, Kaelan. Power in the wron

er his speech leaving me with

y

ing, I had hardly seen him, and I couldn't stop thinking about what Aldric had said and implied. I could tell he

ok a deep breath to prepare myself

ng, and part of me wondered if he'

but his eyes softened a fraction when he saw me

neutral. "I assume you wanted to talk abo

ing for answers I don't think we owe him.

ossing my arms. "Are you possib

palm through his hair. "No. But I need to

winge of anger an

ng I know. If that's n

nterrupted, stepping closer.

ht off guard. "

have no idea how many people would turn against y

weight of what he was saying. "So...

mur. "There are others. They don't want

pounding. "They have eve

sideways. Don't let them make you feel unwanted here. You belon

expected. But before I could respond, the door opened, and Maric

should know, Kaelan... Aldric is gathering the council for an emer

t me, his eyes darkening with determination.

with anticipation and tension. Aldric stood at the head of the roo

you for joining us. I was just explaining to the council th

es narrowed

a strange, shimmering liquid. "Her blood. I had a

gerous

Kaelan, fear brewing in my stomach. "That's not

intended to or not is irrelevant. The fact rema

taring at me coldly. We have two options, in my opinion: either we let her

every eye on me while

l, and proving I wasn't the

prove what I d