"Will you stand with me?" Alexander asked, his voice carrying across the stone chamber of Frostfang Fortress while cold daylight spilled through the narrow windows and painted pale bars across the floor, and although the question sounded simple, every warrior gathered around the long council table understood that the answer could alter the balance of power across the northern territories.
Alpha Henrik Frost remained seated at the head of the chamber, his broad hands resting upon the carved arms of his chair as he studied the younger Alpha with the reserved patience of a leader who had survived too many promises to be impressed by another polished speech. Diego Navarro stood several steps behind Alexander with his arms folded, watching Henrik rather than Alexander because he understood that the northern Alpha was not deciding whether he admired the challenger but whether supporting him would place his people in greater danger.
