The council chamber had never felt this small.
Firelight burned low in the sconces, shadows stretching long across the stone floor like quiet accusations. Outside, the estate murmured with restless movement — wolves pacing corridors, guards shifting at the gates, whispers passing through ranks like wind through dry leaves.
They all felt it.
Change.
Alessandro stood at the head of the table, hands resting lightly against the carved wood.
Still.
Controlled.
Every elder present watched him as though waiting for fracture.
Elder Vittorio spoke first.
"The pack has begun to react."
Alessandro did not answer.
Another elder leaned forward.
"The girl's presence alters instinctual hierarchy."
"She is not a girl," Alessandro said quietly.
Silence followed.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
"She is unaligned," Vittorio continued. "Her blood does not respond to lunar dominance."
"I am aware."
A murmur moved through the chamber.
