The council chamber had never seemed so cold to Alessandro, though every brazier along the stone walls burned steadily and the summer night beyond the tall windows was warm enough to leave the glass faintly misted.
He stood beneath the carved crest of Regina with his hands resting loosely behind his back, refusing to let the elders see how heavily the Alpha's weight pressed upon him, while Elara remained several paces away beside Freya, silent but watchful, her dark gaze moving from one councillor to another as though she were measuring the courage of every soul present.
