The council chamber descended into silence after Kael's declaration.
No one moved.
No one dared interrupt.
The weight of the Crown Prince's authority spread heavily beneath the chandeliers, pressing against the nobles gathered inside the imperial hall until even the most arrogant among them lowered their eyes instinctively.
Selene stood beside him quietly, though her attention remained fixed on the council itself rather than the pressure rolling through the room.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Because the fear she sensed now was no longer directed entirely at her.
Part of it had shifted toward Kael.
The nobles were beginning to realize something dangerous --
The Crown Prince was not distancing himself from the Moon Wolf awakening.
If anything, he was stepping closer to it.
The older councilman who had challenged Kael earlier finally spoke again, though considerably more carefully this time.
"Your Highness," he said slowly, "the council does not question your authority."
