5 hours later;
The dining hall glittered tonight.
One by one, the three royal houses arrived. They took their seats along the long table, cloaked in silk and goblets already waiting for them.
Plates were laid out before them, heavy with food. Their plates had the fineat cuts of meat. Glazed fruits. Bread still steaming. And dark wine.
Soft music drifted through the hall yet no one was relaxed.
An eight-hundred-year-old council elder had died five hours ago, and the moon goddess had let out an angry thunder.
That was worse than mourning.
The council elders had returned to their respective packs, but the royal houses remained. They were guests under Alpha Elijah's roof until the next day.
Aire entered last.
Madam escorted her down the steps like a display piece. Her fingers were tight on her arm as though daring her to stumble. Aire wore a vintage sea blue dress this time. It complimented her eyes this time.
Her back still burned beneath the fabric.
She kept her head down.
