Chapter 27 · Trial at the Gate

-Silas-

I knew that face.

The severed head on the sanctuary floor—Marcus. Young. Barely twenty. His mother made the best venison stew in the pack.

Made.

Past tense now.

"They're at the gate." My voice came out flat. I couldn't look at Kade. Couldn't look at Lyra. Just that head. The parchment tied around what was left of his neck. Tribunal summons. One hour.

Fifty-eight minutes now.

"How many?" Kade's voice was wrong. Too calm. The kind of calm that came before someone tore out a throat.

"Twenty. Full war gear. Morgana's leading them."

"We fight." Lyra stepped forward. Her fangs were still out. Eyes too bright. "We don't let them—"

"You'll get everyone killed." The words came out harsher than I meant. "They want you. Not the pack. Not Kade. You."

She flinched.

Good. Maybe she'd listen.

"Silas." Kade's hand landed on my shoulder. I shrugged it off.

"Don't." I turned to face him. His eyes were almost entirely gold now. The curse. The crown was in the vault downstairs, locked behind three wards, and it was still eating him alive. "You declared her your mate. You put her under pack protection.