Chapter 22

• {Ryanna's Pov}
• I stepped inside. Losing all the fear and unease behind them. Aurelius sat at the head of a long oak table, surrounded by Elders. A couple I could remember, others I didn't, probably dead. Amongst the familiar faces are Brenna on his right and Councilor Marek on his left. Both of them wore countenances that mixed curiousness with disgust. Brenna’s streaked face looked as though she’d seen too many winters, despite how old she was, and Marek’s redden cheeks implied at wine still wavering in his veins.
• The rest of the council members filled the benches along the far wall, wolves who’d once turned their backs on me and watched my embarrassment, but now they watched, waiting for my next move.