The door slowly slid open and, almost instinctively, every head in the chamber turned toward the entrance.
The moment Adrian stepped into the council chamber, an unprecedented silence descended upon the hall.
The enormous circular room was illuminated by crystal chandeliers suspended from a domed ceiling painted with ancient depictions of wolves, moons, and battles that had shaped the werewolf world centuries ago.
Rows of elevated seats formed a semicircle around a central platform.
Each seat belonged to a council elder, an Alpha or his representative, or a high-ranking official whose influence could determine the fate of entire packs.
And as always, Adam's seat at the head of the council remained vacant.
At the very center of the hall stood a raised stone podium.
Adrian's polished shoes echoed against the tiled floor as he walked forward to his seat. Maurice hurried over to pull out the chair for him while he waited.
