The western audience hall fell silent after Freya's words.
The southern Alpha answered your call.
The sentence lingered heavily beneath the chandelier light while snow continued sweeping across the palace windows in violent waves. Somewhere beyond the capital walls, another howl echoed faintly through the frozen night -- distant enough to sound unreal, yet powerful enough to send a sharp pulse through Selene's chest.
The wolf inside her reacted instantly.
Awake.
Aware.
Listening.
Selene pressed one hand lightly against the edge of the council table as heat rolled beneath her skin again, slower than before but deeper somehow. The silver pendant resting against her throat pulsed steadily now, almost like a second heartbeat beneath her collarbone.
Annoying.
Very annoying.
Kael stepped closer immediately.
The movement was instinctive.
Protective.
And increasingly obvious.
"Selene."
His voice grounded the room sharply against the rising tension.
Selene looked up slowly.
