Malric's Pov

The Hall of Verdict carried a silence that felt older than every brick laid in it.

Its pillars stood like watchful sentinels, and the elders-robed, rigid, and grim-watched me with eyes that had judged kings before me.

Caleb sat at my right.

Delilah at my left.

Islode hovered beside Caleb, fingers wringing together like someone already tasting fear.

Everyone was settled, murmurs crawling across the hall like restless shadows.

Caleb leaned closer. "Father... what is this? What happened? Why summon everyone?"

"We shall see," I said. Calm. Controlled.

But inside, my wolf paced, baring teeth.

The elders whispered to one another. High-ranking wolves frowned, uneasy. Warriors stiffened along...