Chapter 45

The inquiry lasted six hours.

Arianna felt every moment of it through the bond—Duncan's controlled fury as Valkyrie presented her evidence, his careful rebuttals, the shifting sentiment of council members who'd once supported him. She tried to stay focused on the ore deposit, on planning negotiations with the neighboring packs, but her attention kept fracturing.

It was late afternoon when she felt something shift in the bond. Not victory or defeat exactly, but... conclusion. The inquiry had ended.

Arianna excused herself from the planning session and moved to a quiet spot at the edge of the camp, opening the bond fully.

*Duncan?*

For a long moment, nothing. Then...