"Your house cannot be on fire, and your issue is your neighbor's house that is barely smoking," Mr. Silverwynd said sharply, slamming his hand lightly on the table. "We have to put an end to the issues happening here in Novaterra first. Only after we stabilize ourselves can the other packs learn from us—but I doubt they will. They don't care about anything other than themselves."
"More like they think they're superior to us," the Minister of Works added, folding his arms and leaning back in his chair.
"But always come begging for money," the Chief of Treasury said, rolling his eyes with barely concealed annoyance.
A ripple of laughter ran through the chamber, a brief respite in the otherwise tense atmosphere.
"Mr. Astraval, do you realize that you're the Chief of Security?" the Minister of Trade asked, his voice sharp with disbelief.
"Yes," Nicholas replied calmly, his shoulders squared. "Everyone knows that."
