Chapter 90

The proposal arrived six months after Natasha's successful challenge defense, carried by formal Continental Council delegation rather than individual pack messenger. That formality alone signaled something unprecedented was being considered.

Gabriel himself led the delegation, the elderly Council facilitator making the journey personally rather than sending representatives. He requested a private meeting with Arianna, Duncan, and Yuki—the three Alphas most central to the reform coalition's development.

"The Continental Council has been observing the transformation you've catalyzed," Gabriel began without preamble once they were assembled. "The reform coalition, the coordinator role, the demonstrated benefits of cooperative governance—all of it represents fundamental shift in how packs relate to each other."...