Alina's pov
"Do not get nervous, Alina. Don't let these people intimidate you. This is about our son, Leo. Stand your ground."
A quiet strength washed over me. I looked directly at the glaring elder and offered a calm, steady smile. "Leo is my son. I am the one responsible for the values he learns, so you don't have to worry about that at all."
The Council member's expression darkened, his fist slamming onto the wood. "That doesn't answer my question! What possible values do you think he will learn from an environment like that?"
"Good values," I replied instantly, my voice echoing clearly through the chamber. "Because the people he is surrounded by over there are not bad people."
A harsh, jagged laugh tore from one of the older men at the end of the table. "We are talking about rogues, Alina! Do you have any earthly idea the amount of damage they can cause you?"
