#Chapter 216: The Debate Begins

Julian’s POV We stood on the stage, accepting our applause. After a moment, when the debate was about to begin, Amber turned to me and hugged me tightly. “Stay strong,” she quickly whispered in my ear. “You are going to do great.” She pressed a quick, exhilarating kiss to my ear, and then she was gone, moving back toward the sides of the stage that would take her backstage and off-camera. She could watch from back there, so I knew in my heart she hadn’t just walked out. She was watching and I wanted to make her proud. “Welcome to you both,” The moderator said. “Alpha Julian.” There were a few claps at my name, but mostly silence. “Tony.” At Tony’s name, the crowd came to life again, everyone clapping and cheering. This disparity was somewhat disheartening, but I’d already known that I was working with odds that were against me. In my absences, Tony had plagued not just the council but the people against me. I also wouldn’t have been surprised if the tickets for this ev