Chapter 344

POV The sun had barely climbed above the eastern ridge when the call came. The shrill ring cut through the silence of my office like a blade, sharp and intrusive. Aurelia was there — standing near the shelves, flipping absently through an old treaty book, her mind clearly elsewhere. She didn’t look at me at first, not until she heard the tone of my voice change. “Alpha Derek,” came the voice from the other end — firm, formal, and coldly detached. A royal advisor. “This is the High Council calling on behalf of His Majesty, King Dominic of the Royal Court. You are hereby summoned to appear before the Moon Palace tribunal in two days’ time.” The air in the room seemed to thin. “Understood,” I said tightly, forcing my tone to remain steady. “What are the terms?” “The charges stand as declared — unlawful abduction, breach of alliance, and interference in royal territorial treaties. You will present yourself and the female involved in the claim, Aurelia Regulus. Failure to comply will be con