The Tribunal chamber had never been this crowded before, for every seat was occupied.
Council members sat in a wide semicircle beneath the enormous silver crest carved into the wall, their robes falling heavily around them. Guards stood along the edges of the chamber, weapons secured at their sides, while several Alphas from different territories across the south, west and North had been permitted to attend as witnesses.
Aurelius stood at the very front, wearing the brown coat of the Argent Tribunal Alpha, the collar sitting high around his neck and the silver insignia of his pack resting against his chest.
He looked nothing like the heir anyone remembered. He was now a ruler.
His expression remained unreadable, his shoulders straight and his presence heavy enough that even the older Council members seemed to think twice before speaking.
Standing by the door were Sylas and Zeke.
People were avoiding them like a plague and using the back door to come in instead.
