Chapter 196. Our Pack

Xerina’s POV

The next morning, as the dawn broke through the canopy of trees surrounding the pack’s encampment, reality settled in like a heavy cloak. My new role as Queen was not just a title; it came with responsibilities I had barely begun to grasp. Sure, there had been plenty of battles to fight, monsters to face, and ancient rituals to complete—but dealing with pack politics? That was a whole different beast.

The council chamber was packed to the brim, filled with a mix of old-timers who looked like they’d been plucked straight out of a history book and newer, younger faces that still had a touch of uncertainty. Rasmus and I sat at the head of the stone table, and I was doing my best to look like I had a clue what was going on. Rasmus, bless him, wore his “serious Alpha” face, which only cracked every now and then when he glanced at me and saw the silent plea in my eyes.

“Queen Xerina,” one of the elders began, a wiry man named Garik whose face looked l