"This cannot go unanswered," she bit out, wheeling to face them. "Lucian's actions were a direct challenge to my authority, to the safety of our pack!"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, some nodding in grim agreement while others shifted uneasily. In the back, Lucian lounged with infuriating nonchalance, his obsidian gaze glittering with dark amusement.

"Come now, Alpha," he purred, his tone laced with mocking condescension. "Surely you didn't expect me to simply step aside and let you make your choice uncontested?"

A savage snarl ripped from Seraphina's throat. "You poisoned one of my wolves with wolfsbane! Nearly killed him!"

"A temporary setback," Lucian waved a dismissive hand. "One that...