The Council chamber was packed beyond capacity. Alphas, Lunas, senior pack members, even some brave omegas who had never attended Council business before, all crowded in to witness the leadership election that would determine the region's future.
Alpha Brennan stood on one side, composed and dignified. Alpha Hawthorne stood opposite, radiating confidence. Between them, the twenty Council members who would cast the deciding votes.
"This election will be conducted by secret ballot," the Council's administrator announced. "Each Council member will submit their vote privately. The candidate receiving eleven or more votes becomes Council Leader for the next three-year term."
The voting took less than an hour, but the wait for results felt eternal. I stood with Ezra and other Coalition leaders, trying to project confidence while my stomach churned with anxiety.
Finally, the administrator returned with a sealed envelope. She opened it slowly, reading the results.
