Chapter 53

**Tiberius' POV**

I was twenty damn minutes late.

As soon as I pushed open the double doors of the council chamber, a familiar voice rang out across the stone-floored room.

"No rush, Tiberius," Victor drawled from his usual seat. "We’ve only been waiting for twenty minutes. Our time’s clearly not as precious as yours."

A few chuckles rippled through the group.

I smirked and made my way to my chair. "Tell me, Victor," I replied smoothly, "whose ass were you kissing while I was gone?"

Laughter erupted louder this time, even Victor grinning and raising his hands in mock surrender.

I sat, rolled my shoulders, and nodded toward the Elder at the head of the table. "Let’s get to it."

The meeting opened with Ravenhold’s internal affairs. Supplies, food stockpiles, and the expansion of the eastern sector. We’d had more initiates lately, and new housing was needed. I asked about the new housing materials—sturdy, reinforced, but also magically neutral.

Laya chimed in about the defensive rotations on the northern wall. "The rogue sightings have increased again. Three in the last week. If they’re probing our defenses, they’re getting bolder."

Victor leaned forward. "Could be more than rogues. We’ve heard whispers of organized packs moving again, especially near the borderlands."

"We’ll need scouts," I said, my tone clipped. "Double up for the next fortnight. If something’s coming, I want to know before it’s at our door."

We reviewed messages from the other hunter clans. One from the Northern clan warned of a rogue alpha gathering strays. Another came from the southern clan—light on details, heavy on superstition.

Two hours in, the conversation shifted to threats *beyond* our walls: lawbreakers, wolves off the leash, and whispers of alliances forming where there shouldn’t be any.

Victor and I volleyed ideas, counterpoints, and strategy. Laya—sharp, focused—challenged every assumption with cold precision.

Four hours. That’s how long it took.

Just as we were wrapping, Elder Garron cleared his throat, leaning on his staff.

"And what of Lucius’ daughter? The girl—Freya. We hear whispers that Lucius’ weapons have chosen her. That must be a sign."

The air thickened instantly.

Laya tensed beside me. She didn’t speak, but I saw it. The stiffness of her spine. The look that flickered in her eyes. She’d once been the only daughter. The only legacy.

I leaned forward, folding my hands.

"Freya has potential," I said. "But she’s still adjusting. We’re helping her. Training her."

Another Elder raised a brow. "Has her... other side awakened? Is she a threat to the community? Could she be communicating with wolves—like the prince?"

I didn’t blink.

"Trust is a two-way street," I said calmly. "We must show her she belongs here. Let her know this is her home. That she’s safe among us. Only then will she choose us in return."

I didn’t mention Reyna.

No one needed to know about our little brawl this morning.

When the meeting adjourned, the room cleared out slowly. Layla stood to leave, but I caught her wrist.

"We need to talk."

She followed me into a quieter hallway. No crowd. No audience.

"Laya," I started, keeping my voice gentle. "This isn’t a competition. You’re both Lucius’ daughters. You’re both special. Important. There’s no reason for jealousy or—"

"I’m not jealous," she snapped, too quickly.

I raised an eyebrow. She sighed.

"It’s not about jealousy. It’s her. She... creates tension just by existing. The way people talk about her. Look at her. She doesn’t

*earn*

respect—she disrupts everything around her."

So there it was. She wasn’t hiding it.

I took her hands, steady, firm. "Please, Laya. Give her a chance. Just one. That’s all I ask."

She looked away. "I’ll try. But I’m not making promises."

I pulled her into a brief hug. She didn’t resist.

That’s when Freya arrived.

She was walking toward the training grounds, confidence in every step. Her eyes caught mine, then moved to Laya.

"Hey, Laya," Freya said with a half-smile. "Want to join us in training?"

Laya’s lips curled. "I think my level’s a bit more advanced than yours."

I coughed pointedly.

Laya rolled her eyes. "Maybe next time, Freya. But thanks for the offer."

She turned and left, her posture perfect. Controlled.

Freya turned to me. "What was *that* about?"

I exhaled. "Let’s just say it’ll take time for the two of you to understand each other. Laya’s a good hunter. A good woman. And a good friend."

Freya tilted her head. "Friend? Does *she* know that? Because it looked like she wanted to be something... more."

I grinned and winked. "Sorry, my heart’s already taken by a certain mysterious and dangerous woman."

She laughed, and we walked together toward the training grounds, the sun finally piercing through the clouds above us.