Rafael's POV 

The office smelled like old paper and the strong coffee I’d been drinking since six.

I sat behind the desk with three open folders and a half-written report on the gathering security numbers. Two council members were already in the chairs across from me. Mason, the older one with the gray at his temples, kept tapping a pen against his knee. Lisa was sharper and younger, had her tablet out and was scrolling through the incident notes from the weekend.

“Three packs under one moon and we only had two minor scuffles,” Mason said. “That’s better than last year. Still, the visiting Alphas pushed hard on the border...