Seven women entered Kane Croft’s private wing after midnight. None made it to sunrise.

The announcement of our upcoming Royal Court appearance sent shockwaves through the regional packs.

Three days after my arrival, Kane invited the High Council of Alphas—a group of twelve powerful wolf lords who governed the territories—to an emergency banquet at Blackwood Keep.

Silas Mercer had spent the last seventy-two hours desperately trying to rally support among the council members, claiming that I was a rogue witch who had placed a mind-control spell over the Alpha King.

The grand dining hall was breathtaking. High arched stone ceilings, flickering iron chandeliers, and a massive oak table loaded with roasted meats, fine wines, and crystal glassware.

I sat at the head of the table on Kane's right, wearing a stunning gown of deep burgundy silk, a diamond circlet resting in my styled hair. Kane sat on his throne at the head, looking every inch the terrifying, majestic monarch he was born to be.

Sitting along the table were the twelve Alphas of the High Council. Among them sat Silas Mercer, his face twisted into a mask of bitter desperation.

"Your Majesty," Alpha Gregory of the Iron Ridge Pack spoke up, slamming his heavy silver goblet onto the table. "While we are pleased to see your... health has improved, we cannot ignore the rumors circulating among our people! This girl is from the Cascade Pack—a weak, bankrupt territory! She has no noble lineage, no diplomatic training, and no right to sit at the King's right hand!"

"Hear, hear!" several other council members muttered, nodding in agreement.

Silas stood up, leaning over the table with a theatrical sigh. "Lords of the Council! I fear our King's judgment remains compromised! This girl used illegal herbal sedatives and rogue sorcery during her night in the private wing to suppress His Majesty's true wolf! She is a threat to the realm!"

I felt Kane's body tense beside me. The air in the room began to drop in temperature, his golden eyes flashing dangerously.

I gently placed my hand over his on the table, lacing my fingers through his broad, warm palm.

Instantly, the cold aura vanished, replaced by a wave of absolute, terrifying calm.

I stood up from my chair.

The twelve council members stared at me, expecting me to shrink back or cower under their glare.

"Alpha Gregory," I said, my voice ringing clear and strong through the cavernous hall. "You speak of noble lineage and diplomatic training. But where was your noble lineage when Silas Mercer forged financial audits to steal the Iron Ridge Pack's southern border territory two years ago?"

Gregory froze, his mouth opening in shock. "What... how do you know about that?!"

"I know," I continued, pulling a small silver flash drive from my velvet purse and placing it on the table, "because for the last seventy-two hours, Commander Vance and I have been auditing Silas Mercer's private ledgers. Silas didn't just target the Cascade Pack. He has been systematically blackmailing seven of the twelve Alphas sitting at this table, using forged debt obligations to siphon off your pack revenues into his private accounts!"

Gasps of outrage erupted around the table.

Several Alphas slammed their fists down, glaring at Silas with newfound rage.

"Lies!" Silas shrieked, his voice cracking. "She's fabricating evidence! Guards! Seize her!"

None of the royal guards moved an inch. Commander Vance stood behind Silas, his heavy hand coming down on Silas's shoulder like a steel trap, pinning the traitor to his chair.

"The evidence is certified by the Royal Treasury, Silas," Kane spoke, his deep voice cutting through the noise like a heavy sword.

Kane slowly stood up, pulling me close to his side, his arm wrapping securely around my waist.

"Harper Hayes saw through your lies when everyone else was too blind or too terrified to look," Kane declared, looking around the table at the silent, stunned council. "She faced the monster you created and offered him peace. She is not a rogue, and she is not a pawn."