The council reconvened before dawn.
That alone told her everything.
No Alpha called an emergency council unless the balance of power had shifted or was about to. The chamber buzzed with restrained tension when she entered, whispers cutting off the instant her boots touched stone.
They were waiting for her this time.
Not seated.
Standing.
Every elder. Every Alpha representative. Even the Alpha enforcer stood apart from the circle, arms folded, eyes sharp.
This wasn't a discussion.
It was a verdict.
"By council authority," an elder announced, "this session is now in effect."
Her mate moved to step forward.
She stopped him with a glance.
"Say what you've gathered to say," she said coolly. "Before the sun finishes rising."
Murmurs rippled at the disrespect.
The elder bristled. "Your actions last night disrupted Alpha law."
"My actions saved a life," she replied. "Unless that's now a crime."
Another elder snapped, "You manipulated the binding."
She tilted her head. "I survived it."
The Alpha enforcer's gaze flicked to the fractured sigil at the center of the floor—still faintly glowing from last night.
"Enough," he said.
The chamber stilled instantly.
"We will proceed to a vote."
Her pulse slowed.
A vote.
"On what?" she asked.
The enforcer met her eyes. "On whether you remain under council jurisdiction… or are removed from pack territory entirely."
Exile.
A sharp intake of breath echoed through the chamber.
Her mate growled, dominance rolling outward in a warning wave. "You cannot exile her. Not after"
"We can," an elder cut in. "And we will."
The fire inside her flared then steadied.
"Very well," she said. "Let's vote."
Shock flashed across several faces.
They hadn't expected compliance.
The enforcer raised his hand. "All in favor of removal."
One by one, hands lifted.
Too quickly.
Too confidently.
She counted.
It was already decided.
Before the last vote was cast, the chamber doors slammed open.
A scout stumbled inside, breath ragged, eyes wide with panic.
"Alpha Council" he gasped. "The outer watch has been breached."
Silence exploded.
"By whom?" the enforcer demanded.
The scout swallowed. "Rogues."
Her gaze snapped to the elder with the hidden sigil.
Got you.
"How many?" her mate asked sharply.
"Enough," the scout whispered. "And they're not attacking."
Confusion rippled.
"Then why breach the watch?" an elder demanded.
The scout's eyes found her.
"They're asking for her."
The chamber erupted.
Her mate moved instantly, placing himself in front of her, power flaring.
The Alpha enforcer turned slowly toward her, something dark and knowing in his expression.
"Well," he said quietly. "It seems the vote is irrelevant."
The traitor elder backed away.
Too late.
She stepped forward, fire coiling low and lethal beneath her skin.
"No," she said calmly. "It's very relevant."
The bond pulsed violently, sensing the choice forming in her blood.
She met the council's gaze every single one of them.
"You don't get to decide where I belong," she said. "Not today."
Outside, a horn sounded long and urgent.
The rogues were at the gates.
And the prophecy had come knocking.