Chapter 171

Serena’s PoV The council hall was packed that it was suffocating. I could hear murmurs of discontent from the pack swirling around me, growing louder by the second. I was nervous. Caden stood at the centre of the room. His posture was commanding and his voice was calm yet firm as he spoke. “We need strong leadership now more than ever. Ardan has failed to protect this pack from rogue attacks, failed to root out the threats within. And now, with evidence against him, how can you trust him to lead you all?” A few wolves nodded in agreement. Others exchanged uncertain glances as if their loyalty to Ardan clashed with the doubts by Caden’s words. I stood between them all, caught in a storm I hadn’t anticipated. Zone and Rachel flanked me with grim expressions. “You don’t have to decide right now,” Zone whispered in a low tone. “Take a moment to think this through.” But there was no time. The pack was waiting for a decision. Their eyes were locked on me. “If we don’t act now,” Caden continu