17

Tavi was waiting for me outside the council meeting room. She was wearing her usual oversized shirt and leggings. I’d sent a telepathic message to her to meet me there and was glad to see her. She gave me a half smile, which I returned. I wouldn’t have Night by my side, but at least I wouldn’t face the council alone.

We headed inside together. Colby, Ross, Dana, Edward, and Grant were already seated. They rose as Tavi and I entered, but Dana took the longest to get to her feet. I knew it was because she didn’t like or respect me, but whatever; her pettiness wasn’t worth picking a fight.

“Thank you for meeting with us today, Alpha Hunter,” Ross said. His salt-and-pepper hair normally fell down his back, but he’d tied it back in a low bun. Long strands of hair were in their usual place over the scar on the left side of his face. “We wanted to talk to you about the alpha challenge.”

I nodded as Tavi and I took seats across from them. “I wanted to talk about that, too. I’m unclear about w