Chapter 211

Sylvia's POV The tribunal chamber was still buzzing with tension after Elder Thornwood announced the unanimous decision against Hugo. I expected it to be over, but Hugo wasn't going down without one final desperate attempt. "I demand a full pack vote!" Hugo shouted, his face contorted with rage. "This is a conspiracy against an Alpha heir. You can't possibly believe these women over me!" Several of the smaller pack representatives shifted uncomfortably in their seats. I could sense their hesitation—centuries of patriarchal tradition had embedded the notion that an Alpha male's word carried more weight than any female's, regardless of rank. "According to ancient law, I have the right to call for a territory-wide referendum on my sentencing," Hugo continued, clearly having prepared this contingency. Elder Thornwood frowned. "That law is rarely invoked, but technically still valid—" "It won't be necessary." The deep, commanding voice cut through the chamber like a blade. Every head turned