13. Katya

The council chamber feels colder than usual, the heavy stone walls closing in around me. I sit in the centre of the room, the long table filled with the elders who’ve governed the pack for years.

Tomas sits beside me, his presence solid and reassuring, but even he can’t calm the storm brewing inside me. My heart pounds in my chest, a mixture of anxiety and anger, and I already know this meeting won’t end well.

The council has been quiet, studying me with their sharp, calculating eyes. Finally, one of them—Elder Garin, an old man with a weathered face and more power than most—clears his throat.

“Luna Katya,” he begins, his voice slow and deliberate, “how are you feeling lately?”

I frown, taken aback by the question. It’s not what I expected. They didn’t call me here to talk about feelings. But I know better than to lie. I take a breath, my hands gripping the edge of the chair.

“I’m... managing,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “It’s been difficult, with everything that’s happe