Ava shot him a side-eye. "Did you just admit you're wrong in public?"
"Not officially," Lucas whispered back, clearing his throat like he hadn't just been owned by his mate.
"What's your name?" Lucas asked more formally.
"Rothe," the man replied, standing up straighter.
"Councilman Rothe," Lucas said with a slight nod. "This…" he gestured toward Zoe, Dennis, and the awkward stillness between them "…isn't something I can decree. This is a decision for the council. You lot decide when she's worthy enough to be Queen."
Dennis turned to Lucas with surprise. "You're giving them the power to decide?"
Lucas shrugged. "Zoe's right. If this is gonna work, it needs to be the people's call."
The crowd stirred again.
"So, after the coronation of Alpha Dennis," Lucas continued, "gather the rest of the council members…
"They are dead," Rothe said simply. There were no cries, no gasps, just the heavy realization of what Herod had done to the very institution meant to keep him in check.
