The moon was high when the council doors opened. Moon light spilled across the stone floor of the great hall. It made the wolves’ shadows stretch against the wall.

Hazel stood in the center of the circle. Alone.

No seat. No shield. No Alaric beside her.

Pack law was clear , during a trial, the accused stood unprotected. The Alpha could speak for her, but he could not stand with her. It was meant to prevent bias. Right now, it felt like abandonment.

The seven council elders sat in a semicircle above her, their robes dark, their faces half-hidden in shadow. Ella sat at the center, on the seat that...