Cass’s POV

I centered myself, reaching for that elusive tether of power I had felt only in flashes. "Bryn," I commanded, my voice resonating with a newfound, sharp clarity. "You may speak."

Bryn inhaled sharply, her eyes widening. "I... I hate you."

"She did it!" Dash cheered, while Bryn squealed in delight, jumping as if she’d been given a new life.

I felt a surge of relief; the weight of my uncertainty began to lift. Honora nodded, satisfied. "Now, drink this. Rooibos tea—it’s caffeine-free, full of antioxidants. It’s what the baby needs."

I sipped the tea, though my stomach churned at the bitterness. Lotus immediately snatched the cup, sniffing it with a predator’s caution. "It’s clean," she muttered, though she lingered near the door, clearly intending to lecture Honora on werewolf-specific botanical hazards.

I turned to Bryn, who was already running her mouth again. "Bryn, quiet."

The silence that followed was absolute. Bryn’s eyes filled with tears, but I didn't soften. "I’m not asking for your devotion, just your distance. Live your life and stay out of mine, or I promise you, you’ll never speak again."

Bryn scrambled out of the room, leaving a tense silence in her wake. Dash looked at me with a mix of awe and trepidation. "You’re terrifying now, Cass."

I looked over at Colt. He was sitting on the sofa, quiet and watchful. The distance between us remained a chasm, and the frustration clawed at my chest. I left him to his silence, just as he had asked.

In the war room, the reports were grim. Ezra and Oliver were meeting, consolidating their forces.

"We need a summit," I decided, cutting through the bickering. "If we don't bring the other packs to the table, Ezra will turn them against us one by one."

"It’s a risk," Garret countered. "They already despise us."

"We try anyway," I said. "Victor, make the arrangements."

As the meeting wound down, Archie looked at me. "The murders. I’ve narrowed the suspects. It’s time you used your power."

We cleared the room, leaving only Kanda. "Start with me," she said, shocking us all.

I stared into her eyes, tapping into that dark, dormant well of power. "Kanda, did you murder those guards?"

"No," she said instantly. Her soul—or at least the part I could see—was clear.

We vetted every suspect, but every single one came up clean. We were back to square one.

That evening, I made an appointment at the infirmary. I didn't want to do this without Colt, but when I saw his expression soften as he watched our child—a tiny, flickering heartbeat on the monitor—I knew I’d made the right call.

"It was kicking," Colt whispered, his eyes glued to the screen in pure, unfiltered awe. "I can't believe... we're going to be parents."

The walk back to our quarters was silent, but it was no longer heavy. "We need to end this," Colt said, his hand gripping mine. "Ezra, the war—I just want us to have a future."

"I’m tired of it too," I admitted.

Later, as he massaged my shoulders in a warm bath, the last of his anger seemed to dissolve.

"I’m still hurt, Cass," he whispered against my neck. "But you’re my mate. I’ll never leave you. Just... don't shut me out again."

"I won't," I promised, leaning into his touch.

The peace was short-lived. A frantic pounding at our door tore us from sleep.

"Alpha!" Serge shouted. "Victor and Garret need you in the war room. It's urgent."

I dressed in a blur, my heart hammering against my ribs. When we reached the main hall, the pack house was in a state of controlled chaos. Victor sprinted toward us, looking frantic.

"What’s happening?" I demanded.

"The neighboring Alphas," Victor gasped. "They're lining up outside. They've all arrived for a summit—but we didn't send the invitations yet."

"What?" I frowned, my stomach twisting. "Why are they here?"

Victor shook his head, his face pale. "I don't know. They just... appeared."