The forest cleared into a broad, naturally carved hollow in the earth, a space shaped not by human hands but by time, wind, and something far older than the wolves who now walked among the trees. Ronan stepped through the final line of branches, and Colton and Hailey followed close behind.
Fifty Alphas would gather here.
Fifty rulers.
Fifty territories.
Fifty problems waiting to collide.
But for the moment, only five stood in the center of the clearing, their posture unmistakable, their authority impossible to ignore.
The Council Chairs.
The five who had held the political balance of werewolves across the United States for decades. The five who managed disputes, enforced ancient law, and preserved order between fifty powerful Alphas who often struggled to share the same continent.
No one knew how long the Chairs had existed. No one questioned their roles. No one challenged them. Not because they were the most powerful Alphas, but because they represented something more important than raw strength:
Stability.
Without them, the states would tear each other apart.
The five Chairs turned as Ronan approached.
Dorian Hale of Virginia stepped forward first. Broad-shouldered, posture straight, voice sharp with authority that came from years of difficult decisions. His silver hair was cut short, his eyes steady and assessing.
To his right stood Marisol Vega of Florida, younger than the others but no less dangerous, her intelligence cold and sharp beneath a deceptively calm face.
Kazuo Mori of Hawaii stood to her left, quiet and observant, his presence controlled like a drawn bow.
Eleanor Rourke of Illinois watched Ronan with unblinking intensity, her scar catching the thin light through the trees.
Gunther Blackwell of Montana stood silent and unmoving, a mountain of a man whose presence alone could silence a crowd.
Behind them, the Council Druid stood with his ritual staff planted firmly in the ground, his face expressionless as stone.
Dorian Hale spoke first. "Alpha Vael."
Ronan inclined his head. "Chairs."
"Step forward," Dorian commanded.
Ronan obeyed. Colton and Hailey remained a step behind, close enough to show unity, far enough to show respect. The five Alphas watched Ronan with expressions too controlled to interpret. They were here for order, not for personal feelings. Their job was not to like Ronan or dislike him.
Their job was to judge.
Marisol Vega folded her arms casually. "Your arrival is noted. You made good time from Texas."
Ronan offered no comment.
Kazuo Mori studied him without blinking. "Do you know why this Gathering was called?"
"No," Ronan said. "Only that attendance is mandatory."
"Correct," Eleanor said. "And it is mandatory for a reason."
Dorian clasped his hands behind his back. "There is unrest among the Alphas."
Gunther's voice rumbled low. "Territories shrinking. Rogues moving. Borders unstable."
"Multiple states," Marisol added.
Hailey shifted her weight slightly. "Texas is stable."
Dorian's eyes flicked toward her. "Your state is stable. Others are not."
Ronan remained silent.
Eleanor took a step forward, her face unreadable. "Some wolves blame circumstances. Some blame outsiders. And some—"
She paused.
Kazuo finished for her. "Some blame you."
Colton bristled, but Ronan simply stared at the five Chairs. "Blame me for what?"
"For surviving a ritual that kills," Marisol said. "For living through something no Alpha has lived through before."
"For being an unknown," Kazuo added.
"For being unpredictable," Eleanor said.
"For being feared," Gunther rumbled.
Dorian Hale's expression remained calm. "Strong wolves disrupt weak wolves, Vael. Whether you intend to or not."
Hailey stepped forward slightly—just enough to show she stood with Ronan, but not enough to disrespect the Chairs. "My Alpha has done nothing to threaten another state."
Eleanor raised an eyebrow. "Tell that to New Mexico."
Colton's hands curled into fists, but he said nothing. Ronan's voice was quiet and even.
"Crowe blames me for his weakness. That isn't my problem."
Marisol laughed softly. "No, it is not. But it becomes our problem when an Alpha demands a formal challenge."
Colton inhaled sharply. "So he's already declared?"
"No," Dorian said. "He has not declared. But he has made his intention known."
Hailey's jaw tightened. "Then the Chairs should refuse. A challenge during a Gathering risks destabilizing the Council itself."
Kazuo shook his head slowly. "We do not refuse legal challenges."
Eleanor's tone hardened. "A Gathering does not shield an Alpha from consequences. It merely sets the rules."
Ronan looked at the five of them. "Then state them."
Gunther grunted approvingly. "Direct."
Dorian raised a hand slightly, and the other Chairs fell silent.
"The rules are as follows," he said. "No Alpha may challenge another until the Gathering officially begins. The opening rites must be completed. The Council Druid must acknowledge the circle. After that, any Alpha may challenge any other Alpha."
Kazuo added, "All challenges must be accepted. The law permits no refusal."
"Challenges are to the death or submission," Eleanor said. "And an Alpha's Second may not intervene."
Marisol's gaze sharpened. "Nor may a druid."
Hailey bowed her head slightly to show she understood.
Gunther continued, "Should an Alpha die during the challenge, their title passes to the victor."
Dorian finished, "And if the Alpha ruled a state, the victor becomes the new Alpha of that state."
Silence followed the last sentence.
Colton swallowed. "So if Crowe challenges and loses—"
"Texas gains New Mexico," Eleanor said bluntly.
Kazuo's voice remained calm. "And if you lose, Vael—Texas falls to Crowe."
Hailey spoke before Ronan could. "He won't lose."
Marisol arched a brow. "Confidence from a druid is… uncommon."
Hailey did not flinch. "It is not confidence. It is certainty."
The Chairs studied her for a moment before shifting their attention back to Ronan.
Dorian Hale took a slow step forward. "You should understand something, Alpha Vael. This Gathering is not for your benefit. Nor is it against you. It is simply…" He searched for the word. "…necessary."
Kazuo nodded. "The Council is watching all Alphas equally."
Eleanor added, "We are not here to protect you."
"Nor to hinder you," Marisol finished.
Gunther rumbled, "We watch. We judge. We maintain order."
Ronan did not react to any of it.
Dorian Hale's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you intend to accept Crowe's challenge, should he issue it?"
"Yes," Ronan said.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
No bravado.
Just fact.
The five Chairs exchanged a look too quick and subtle for anyone but a wolf to catch.
Kazuo Mori asked the next question. "Do you understand the consequences?"
"Yes."
Eleanor stepped forward. "Then speak them."
Ronan's voice carried through the clearing. "If Crowe challenges me, he dies. And I inherit New Mexico."
Colton didn't blink. Hailey remained steady.
Gunther Blackwell nodded once, a small sign of respect. "So be it."
The Council Druid tapped his staff against the earth, the sound echoing through the clearing like a drum. Every Alpha in the area fell silent, though none understood why.
The Druid's voice was low, old, weathered by years of ritual. "Your declaration is recorded. It will be spoken when the Gathering begins."
Ronan met his gaze. "When does it begin?"
"Tomorrow at sunrise," the Druid said. "Prepare."
Dorian Hale took one final step back. "You may go, Alpha Vael. The clearing is yours to walk. But know this—however tomorrow ends, the world of Alphas will change."
Kazuo added, "No matter who wins."
Eleanor said, "Order is not guaranteed."
Marisol said, "And chaos is fast."
Gunther rumbled, "Be ready."
Ronan nodded once. "I always am."
He turned and left the circle.
Colton and Hailey followed.
The five Chairs watched him until he disappeared into the trees, their faces expressionless.
Behind them, the Council Druid spoke softly.
"Tomorrow," he murmured, "a new future begins."
The five Chairs did not answer.
They did not need to.
They were waiting for the moment that would change everything.