Chapter 24
Derek's
I sat at the head of the long council table. The wood under my hands was dark and polished, feeling cool against my skin. I began tapping my fingers slowly against the surface, the sound echoing in the large, quiet room. I looked around at the faces of the people sitting there. The room was completely full. On both sides of the table, elders sat in their formal robes, looking stiff and uncomfortable. Beside them were representatives from different parts of the pack. Every single person in the room had their eyes fixed on me. They were watching me, waiting for me to speak or make a mistake.
The air in the room felt heavy. It wasn't the kind of weight you could see, but I could feel it pressing down on my shoulders. It was the weight of their judgment and their fear. Marcus stood just behind my right shoulder. He was silent and perfectly still, like a statue. I knew he was ready to move if I gave the word, but for now, he was just a shadow at my back.
