The Night Council's response came three days later.
Cassius received a formal summons. Not just for himself—for Lyra, for Kael, and for Aldric. The entire Council wanted to hear what had happened at the third bond. Marcus Valerius had returned and told his story. Some believed him. Others didn't.
The gathering was held in Vancouver again. Same hotel. Same conference room. But this time, Kael walked through the front door.
Heads turned. Vampires stared. Kael kept his expression neutral and his posture relaxed. Lyra was at his side, her hand in his. Cassius and Aldric walked behind them.
Lord Valerius was waiting in the conference room. His face was hard, his eyes fixed on Kael.
"So this is the wolf."
"His name is Kael Shadowbane," Lyra said. "Son of Aldric Shadowbane, Alpha of the Northern Pack. He helped restore the three bonds. He helped free your son from the Silent Ones. He deserves your respect."
Lord Valerius's jaw tightened. "My son came home broken. Weeping. Speaking of forgiveness and bridges and ancient voices. I don't know what you did to him—"
"We forgave him," Kael said. "That's all. We forgave him, and it broke the hold the Silent Ones had on him. If you want to blame someone, blame them. They manipulated your family for generations."
The room was silent. Other Council members watched, their expressions ranging from curiosity to hostility.
Cassius stepped forward. "I have evidence. Documents. Testimonies. The Silent Ones infiltrated the Council centuries ago. They fed the Blood Wars. They maintained the hatred between our kinds because they feared what would happen if we united." He looked around the room. "We have a choice now. Continue as we have, or build something new."
"Something new," a woman repeated. Helena. She was standing at the back of the room, her gray hair pulled back. "I've spent seventy years studying the old alliances. I never thought I'd see one in person. But here they are." She gestured at Kael and Lyra. "Vampire and wolf. Standing together. Choosing each other. If we can't learn from that, we don't deserve to survive."
The debate lasted hours. Kael listened, answered questions, endured suspicion and hostility. Lyra stayed beside him the whole time.
When it ended, the Council had not declared peace. But they had agreed to talk. To consider. To allow further contact between the kinds.
It was a crack. A small one.
But it was enough.