*******
Kael stood alone in his office long after Darius left.
The silence pressed against him like a physical weight.
She could be the end of you.
His Beta's words circled in his mind like vultures.
Kael poured himself a glass of whiskey, downing it in one burning swallow. The alcohol did nothing to quiet his wolf, who was still agitated, still pacing restlessly inside his chest.
He threatened our mate, the wolf snarled. He questioned our choice.
"He's worried," Kael said aloud. "That's his job."
His job is to obey.
Kael set the glass down harder than necessary.
The truth was, Darius wasn't wrong to be concerned. Everything about Seraphine was a risk a gamble that could cost him his throne, his pack, possibly his life.
But when he'd seen that flare of power in the training grounds today, when he'd felt that invisible force lock his body in place for just a split second
He'd never been more certain of anything in his life.
She was extraordinary.
And she was his.
A sharp knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter," he called, expecting Garrett with an evening report.
But it wasn't Garrett.
It was Elder Thorne the one Council member who'd shown even a hint of sympathy toward Seraphine.
The older wolf entered cautiously, bowing. "My king. Forgive the late intrusion."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Thorne?"
"To warn you."
That got Kael's attention.
Thorne glanced at the door, then stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Marcellus is planning something. I don't know the details, but I overheard him speaking with Vivienne after tonight's informal Council gathering."
"About?"
"The omega." Thorne's expression was grave. "They're calling for an emergency Council session. Tomorrow night. They've invoked the Right of Inquiry."
Kael's blood went cold.
The Right of Inquiry was an ancient law—one that allowed the Council to formally question anyone they deemed a potential threat to the pack. It was rarely used, and when it was...
It usually ended in exile or execution.
"They can't," Kael said flatly. "She's under my protection."
"The Right supersedes even an Alpha King's authority," Thorne said quietly. "It's written into the oldest laws. If the majority of the Council votes to invoke it, you cannot refuse."
Kael's hands clenched into fists. "They're trying to force my hand."
"Yes." Thorne met his eyes. "They want to interrogate her publicly. Test her. Find something anything they can use to prove she's dangerous."
"She's not"
"My king." Thorne's voice was gentle but firm. "I was there when the air shimmered around you both today. Garrett reported it to all senior wolves. Whatever she is, she has power. And that terrifies them."
Kael's aura pulsed dangerously.
Thorne held his ground. "I'm telling you this because I believe you care for her. If you want to protect her, you need to prepare. The session is tomorrow at moonrise. They'll come for her then."
"Let them try."
"Kael" Thorne rarely used his name without the title. "If you fight the Council openly, you risk civil war within your own pack. Other Alphas are watching. Waiting for any sign of weakness."
He stepped closer.
"I'm on your side. But you need allies, not just power. And right now, you're losing allies faster than you can afford."
The words hit harder than Kael wanted to admit.
"What do you suggest?" he asked, his voice dangerously quiet.
"Let them hold their Inquiry," Thorne said. "But control it. Set the terms. Make sure she's not alone when they question her."
"They'll tear her apart."
"Not if she's stronger than they expect."
Thorne's eyes glinted knowingly.
"You've been training her. I can smell it on you both the scent of exertion, determination. Whatever you're teaching her, accelerate it. Because tomorrow night, she'll need every ounce of strength she has."
Kael stared at the elder wolf for a long moment.
Finally, he nodded. "Thank you, Thorne."
"Don't thank me yet, my king." Thorne moved toward the door. "Just survive tomorrow."
He left.
Kael stood frozen, his mind racing.
Tomorrow night.
Less than twenty-four hours to prepare Seraphine for a trial that could end in her exile or worse.
His wolf snarled viciously.
They won't take her. We'll kill them all first.
"We can't," Kael muttered. "Not without losing everything."
But the wolf wasn't listening anymore.
Kael grabbed his cloak and headed for the door.
Seraphine needed to know.
Now.
-------
Seraphine was sitting by the window when she heard the footsteps.
Fast. Urgent.
Her door burst open without warning.
Kael stood in the doorway, his expression dark and intense.
"Get up," he said. "We need to talk."
Her heart jumped. "What's wrong?"
"Everything."
He crossed the room in three strides, pulling her to her feet.
"The Council is calling for a Right of Inquiry. Tomorrow night. They're going to interrogate you."
The blood drained from her face. "What why "
"Because they're terrified of what you might be." His hands gripped her shoulders. "And they want to find a reason to remove you."
"Then let them," she whispered. "If it stops this if it protects you"
"No."
The word was a growl, an Alpha command that made her wolf whimper.
Kael's eyes blazed silver.
"You're not going anywhere. I don't care what the Council wants. I don't care what laws they invoke."
His grip tightened.
"You. Are. Mine."
"Kael"
"Listen to me." He pulled her closer, his forehead nearly touching hers. "Tomorrow night, they're going to try to break you. They'll ask questions designed to trap you. They'll use their auras to force submission. They'll look for any weakness."
His hands slid to frame her face.
"So we're going to make sure they don't find any."
"How?" Her voice cracked. "I can barely stand against your aura for ten seconds. How am I supposed to"
"Because I'm going to push you harder than I ever have." His voice was steel wrapped in silk. "And you're going to endure it."
He stepped back, his aura already beginning to rise.
"Right now. We train. No sleep. No breaks."
"But it's the middle of the night"
"I don't care."
His aura slammed into the room like a tidal wave.
Seraphine gasped, her knees buckling immediately.
Kael caught her before she hit the floor.
"Get up," he said, his voice hard but not cruel. "You don't have the luxury of weakness anymore."
She struggled to her feet, her entire body shaking.
"Again!" Kael Shouted.