The next day, the summit proceeded—in secret. There were no onlookers allowed. No emissaries. Only formal representatives and alphas were allowed inside the inner council chamber.
This put Mia between two Alphas, one to her left, Lucas, and one to her right, a stern-looking female from the Glenshadow Pack. Amidst all this tradition, she did not belong.
And here she was.
And no one dared take her away.
One large pine slab made up the council table, its surface etched with ancient runes. Sunlight filtered through the high arched windows, casting golden dappled shadows on the stone walls. But the room was not filled with brightness.
"We've had more rogue sightings along the southern borders than usual," Elder Vance explained, his voice even but tired. "And they're no longer doing it individually. They're being coordinated."
"That's not coincidental," said Lucas. "They are being ordered to do this."
They all turned to the Blackridge representative.
He did not blink. "We've had invasions of our own. Lost territory. Blood spilled. You're suggesting we are culpable?"
She moved closer. "I don't advise. I know."
Silence pervaded the room.
Since one of your wolves found me outside the summit and tried to frighten me into silence.
A murmur swept through the group. Some exchanged looks of wonder, while others watched on, expecting confirmation.
Blackridge Alpha, seated opposite, looked at him warily. "And do you have proof?"
"No," Mia said brusquely. "But I don't need proof to notice how your wolves are moving. How calculated their presence is. You are not here to work together. You are here to probe us. To gauge whether or not Silverpine can be dissolved."
Lucas's voice cut through the tension. "And if that's the plan, I recommend you stop. For this pack--this Alpha--will not be intimidated."
She did not glance at him, but she could sense the warmth of his words at her back.
The Glenshadow Alpha cleared her throat. "Perhaps it is time the council considers creating a stronger inter-pack union. One that consists not only of alphas and betas—but omegas, healers, those who hold communities together."
She turned, startled.
She briefly nodded to her. "Change does not begin with war. It begins with those who have suffered it in silence."
______________________________________________________________________________________________
She emerged from the room after the party, her heart racing.
It was political and risky. She'd placed herself right at the center now.
Lucas followed several paces behind, his presence unmistakable.
"You did not have to do that," he said gently.
She turned around. "Yes, I did."
They will get you.
I know.
He looked at her, truly looked—at the fire in her eyes, the resolve in the way she stood. "You've changed."
"No," Mia replied. "I've just stopped pretending to be little anymore."
Lucas sighed, a mixture of admiration and regret crossing his face. "Sorry."
For what?
"For having made you believe you ever were"
Her breath caught.
She did not respond. Instead, she turned and headed toward the forest path behind the lodge. She needed air. Space.
She stiffened suddenly as she made her way through the clearing.
Danger.
She did not know how—she simply did.
A whisper among the branches.
Then a blur.
Something quick. Too quick.
A dark figure emerged from the forest--shrouded in shadows, claws reflecting the light.
She moved reflexively, half-wolf ripping through flesh as she whirled to the side just in time.
Rogue's claws scraped against the stone wall on which she had been standing.
"Traitor!" he growled...!
Another blur--this one silver.
Lucas
Striking the outlaw in mid-leap, his eyes blazing, his teeth bared.
They came together in a rage of growls and fangs, colliding on the earth.
She rose from the couch, extending claws, Wolf now fully awakened. She would not run this time!