Chapter 483 - CH 483 — The Vote Begins

"Do you accept the challenge?" Elder Matteo Ricci asked, his voice carrying through the vast Grand Council Chamber as morning light filtered through the high stained-glass windows and fell across the ancient council table where generations of Alpha decisions had been made. Alexander De Luca stood at the centre of the chamber with his hands loosely clasped behind his back, his dark coat perfectly arranged despite the tension surrounding him, and for several moments he allowed the question to remain unanswered because he understood that the silence itself had become part of the contest. Around him, the Elder Council watched with guarded expressions while Freya Blackwood stood near the northern delegation beside Henrik Frost, and across the chamber Alessandro remained motionless beside Elara, his face composed but his eyes revealing that he already understood how dangerous the morning would become.