descended rapidly toward the

r's frame. Darcy stood beside him, her arm pressed against the fabric of his black-and-gold Lord's formal attire. Through the fi

ared straight ahead at the cold metal doors, his voice low and even. "The Elders' Council

want someone without a wolf form and no Pack marking standing ne

upils settled on her face in the dim light. The el

attention

ceptibly. "I only care whether they'll pretend not to see my professional competence just

f her mouth lifted almost imperceptibly, then she looked a

i

tor doors

t across polished marble floors. The air was thick with expensive fragrance and the mingled pressu

r half a second. Conversations died mid-

hand to rest securely in the crook of his elbow. They walked side by side toward the reg

symbol of supreme territorial authority, then slid slowly to the plain metal ID badge pinned to Darcy's left ches

the cold dismissal of wolves toward an "outsider." Some of them didn't even bother to h

The primal alarm crawled up her spine inch by inch. Darcy pressed her nails into her pa

d the regis

hest. He looked Darcy over once, his gaze sweeping across her bare collar and collarbone,

o Pack insignia, no family blood guarantee, no Alpha Mark. The individual may not cro

dark wood table, his voice carrying

rk. No

the edges of the hall, quickl

he Keeper

under the crystal lights. She carried an entry roster in her arms, her face wearin

rger project. Though in the North, she had no Pack registration and no record of full shifting.

. Chloe lowered her gaze, a flicker

e scent from anyone. No Alpha

round them, several stares grew noticeably bol

handed over a sleek black velvet box. The lid opened. Inside lay a gold-and-black-obsidian storm-wolf insignia. The highe

uiet. Even the

could borrow the Alpha Lord's personal status, reputation,

her entirely in shadow. His steel-gray eyes locked onto hers as he held the insignia, ready

. Several old elders' expressions darkened to stone

ngston territory was personally endorsing this wolf-less outsider, pu

She raised her right hand and pressed her slender fingers directly against

from her skin. The hall's murmurs died instantly. Dozens of eyes locke

tory, almost no one dared to

of her mouth barely shifting. "I said yesterday. I

st were coiled tight. A flicker of dark gold pas

en released. "If I wear this today, they won't remember Darcy Clark. They'll on

was sharp and clear at the front of the hall. Darcy didn't look up. Sh

ed. "Corporate authorizat

hy I'm requesting a business seat. Not a Pack seat. The underlying acc

me at the top of the roster. They stepped int

ston." The elder bowed slightly, his gaze cold. "Corporate appointments open the front door. But they don't o

ward. Darcy's left shoulder scar flared with sudden pain, burning like fire. Asher turned, a dark shado

s staff. "Three minutes. If she can't hold, every core se

ell into d

t. "If we're betting, talking is boring. I last three minutes. All seven contested clauses yo

e to take power. Asher glanced at Darcy and stepped back half a pace. His voice dr

ther word. She stepped

t before they hit the ground, a deep pulse, like a beast awakening, roared from the depths of her left shoulder scar. THUMP. A fl

ip, looked up at the elder on the d

the c