Chapter 25

Rollins' POV

The next morning, I woke up early, my mind already weighed down by the meeting I knew I had to face. I left my quarters and headed straight to the council room where the elders were waiting for me. As I entered, their stern expressions did nothing to ease the knot of tension in my chest.

"Alpha Rollins," Elder Gray spoke first, his voice as unyielding as the stone walls that surrounded us. "We’ve discussed the matter concerning Emily."

I remained standing, my hands clasped behind my back. "And?"

Elder Gray exchanged glances with the others before continuing. "Despite the circumstances, the rules are clear. The Luna was harmed, and the punishment must be administered."

My jaw tightened. "You know as well as I do that Cassandra provoked her. Emily was defending herself."

Elder Maren, the oldest among them, shook her head slowly. "It doesn’t matter, Rollins. The law is the law. If we make exceptions, it undermines the authority of the pack."

I leaned forward slightly, my voi