Briar’s POV
The morning arrives with an edge that cuts through my sleep before the sun breaks the horizon. My chest constricts with anticipation rather than fear, that razor-sharp awareness that tells the world has tilted while I dread. I remain still against my pillow, eyes fixed on the pale ceiling as my wolf shifts beneath my skin, restless and knowing, sensing what my conscious mind refuses to acknowledge.
I force myself from bed before the certainty can root itself deeper.
Structure becos my anchor because routine prevents my thoughts from spiraling beyond my control. The shower runs hot against my shoulders while I concentrate on these simple, unchanged sensations that still belong entirely to . Water cascades down my back in steady streams. Steam rises around . My breathing finds its rhythm. I work shampoo through my hair, rinse it clean, soap my skin, then step onto the bath mat without hesitation, because lingering invites the fears I am determined to outrun.
At the bathroom sink, I brush my teeth with deliberate strokes, the mint flavor sharp and imdiate. My reflection stares back with eyes too alert for this early hour, jaw clenched with tension I cannot release. I choose clothing that will draw no attention, nothing that signals expectation or dread.
Asher has claid the kitchen before I arrive.
He stands against the granite counter, coffee mug cradled in both hands, but his stillness carries weight instead of ease. When his eyes et mine, they narrow with recognition, as if he can read the words I have not spoken written across my features.
"You sense it too," he states without preamble.
"Yes," I confirm, because denial serves no purpose now.
We leave it unnad, this thing hovering at the edges of our awareness, because giving it form will not lessen the impact when it finally reveals itself.
Coffee burns slightly bitter on my tongue, but I force down half a piece of toast despite my stomach’s rebellion. Experience has taught that skipping als transforms emotional stress into physical vulnerability later, and today demands my full strength.
The alert arrives while I still stand at the counter.
No urgent classification.
No ergency protocols.
Simply a live broadcast notification marked as external source.
My mug stops midway to my lips because live feeds reach only when containnt has already failed.
Asher spots it simultaneously.
"Briar," he murmurs, his voice dropping to barely audible.
I place my coffee down with excessive care and lift the tablet.
The screen displays a frozen video fra from a public broadcast channel, and recognition hits like cold water when I identify the setting imdiately. Not a professional studio or formal council chambers, but sothing far more dangerous.
A community hall.
Simple.
Packed with witnesses.
Soone has balanced a cara on a folding table rather than using proper equipnt, creating a slightly crooked angle that clips the speaker’s shoulder from view.
The woman facing the lens appears younger than I anticipated, her dark hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, exhaustion carved deep beneath her eyes in ways that sleep could never heal. Her knuckles show white where they grip the table’s edge, as if that surface provides her only stability.
"Already broadcasting," Asher observes.
I nod once.
The video resus without warning.
"I am Lana," the woman begins, her voice trembling before she swallows hard and continues with more strength. "I was advised against this action. I was told speaking out would worsen everything. But I refuse to continue pretending nothing occurred."
The hall falls silent around her, so quiet that labored breathing from soone off-cara becos audible. My wolf goes perfectly still, every instinct locking into sharp focus as understanding settles like lead in my chest.
This is not performance or politics.
This is preparation for war.
"Conditional protection was imposed on years ago," Lana states, her grip tightening until tendons stand out along her forearms. "They promised it was temporary. They assured it served my safety. They claid cooperation would simplify the process."
Each word strikes like a physical blow.
Asher’s fingers brush mine where they rest on the counter, steady and grounding, but his entire fra has gone taut with recognition.
"I followed every directive," she continues, anger beginning to override fear in her tone. "I maintained silence. I asked no uncomfortable questions. I offered no resistance. When I attempted to leave, they inford my protection status would require reevaluation."
Murmurs ripple through the crowd behind her, and my stomach plumts as the implications cascade too rapidly for to process them all.
This transcends rumor or speculation.
This is sworn testimony.
This is evidence.
"I am not alone in this experience," Lana says, finally lifting her gaze to et the cara directly, and the raw conviction blazing in her eyes makes my chest tighten painfully. "I understand that now because I was contacted privately and told that soone in leadership had listened to my concerns. Soone who believed my account."
My pulse hamrs against my throat.
Asher turns his head toward with deliberate slowness.
"She referenced you without using your na," he says quietly.
"I know," I reply, my voice strained.
"They warned this would create instability," Lana continues, her mouth twisting into sothing bitter and hard. "They claid public statents would divide the packs and destroy trust. But trust was already shattered. Division already existed. Silence simply made it easier for them to deny reality."
Reviews
All reviews (0)