Chapter 9 A Past That Haunt

• I sat on my throne, my fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest as my gaze swept across the council members. The room was silent, except for the crackling of the fire burning in the grand hearth. My Beta, Matteo, stood beside me, his posture straight, face blank as ever. He was a man of few words, a silent force that intimidated many, but today, it was not him they feared—it was me.
• The council members sat stiffly in their chairs, their nervous eyes darting toward one another. I could see the unspoken thoughts written across their faces. They wanted to say something, but the fear of my reaction held them back.
• Cowards.