“Alpha Blackthorn.” A pale-haired vampire addresses me. “I am Councilor Elias, representing the Vampire-Dragon Alliance. We’ve summoned you regarding wild shifter aggression in eastern territories.”
“I’m aware of Stormcrow’s actions,” I reply. “My pack bears no responsibility.”
“Yet you emerge from identical ancestral domains,” a dragon councilor notes. His human disguise fails to mask reptilian features. “How do we verify you aren’t coordinating attacks?”
I nearly snarl. “Because Stormcrow would sooner devour me than ally with me. His bears consider all clans inferior.”
“Convenient,” the dragon mutters.
Kade Steelclaw stands. “Alpha Blackthorn’s pack maintains the negotiation framework Ambassador Steelclawestablished. No evidence connects Shadow Wolves to the bear clan massacre.”
Elias taps long fingers against the table. “Perhaps. However, wild shifter clans emerge throughout our territories, bringing violence and chaos. The Alliance cannot permit this continuation.”
“Permit?” I repeat dangerously. “You speak as rulers of these lands.”
“We maintain order,” Elias corrects. “Order your kind threatens.”
“My ‘kind’ inhabited these regions for centuries before your barriers forced us into seclusion,” I remind him. “We simply reclaim what belonged to us.”
The council erupts with objections. I remain unmoved by their outrage until Ember steps forward.
“Historical documentation supports Alpha Blackthorn’s claim to specific northern territories,” she states clearly. “But today we address a more immediate concern—the bear clan and potential wider conflict.”
Elias regains control of the meeting. “Indeed. The Alliance has determined a unified response to wild shifter emergence. We establish containment perimeters around all territories affected by barrier breaches. Any wild clan refusing to return to ancestral domains within seven days faces forcible removal.”
I experience dread. “The barriers collapse. Return proves impossible.”
“Not our concern,” the dragon councilor dismisses. “Find alternative locations. These settled lands remain off-limits to wild clans.”
“You declare war,” I state flatly.
“We establish boundaries,” Elias corrects. “Ambassador Steelclaw’s negotiations with your pack representedcourtesy, not right. That courtesy expired with Stormcrow’s massacre.”
I look toward Ember, whose face reveals nothing. Only the subtle flare of her nostrils betrays anger, directed not at me, but the council.
“The Shadow Wolf pack possesses a legitimate historical claim to portions of the northern forest,” she states firmly. “Forcing them out after achieving diplomatic progress violates Haven’s Heart’s principles of fair negotiation.”
“Principles sometimes yield to practicality, Ambassador,” Elias replies smoothly. “Single negotiations cannot supersede regional security.”
I’ve heard sufficient evidence of their intentions. “And if we reject ‘containment’?”
Elias smiles without warmth. “Alliance forces will respond accordingly.”
Threat delivered, the council begins debating specific measures as if I no longer exist. Only Ember and Kade continue advocating diplomatic solutions, clearly outnumbered.
I depart, refusing to listen while these people plan my pack’s destruction. A guard attempts to block my path but scrambles aside after meeting my gaze.
“Alpha Blackthorn.” Ember’s voice halts me at the doorway. She follows, ignoring disapproving council members. “This isn’t finished.”
“It appears concluded,” I reply quietly. “Your council decided.”
“They haven’t heard from all of the wild clans. If we present a unified, peaceful alternative?—”
“Peaceful? With Stormcrow killing settlers? With other clans emerging? No peaceful solution exists, Ember. Your people made their position clear.”
She moves closer, speaking softly. “Seven days. Give me seven days to find another approach.”
Her proximity awakens the mating bond between us, unwanted yet undeniable.
