[Third Person].
The council chamber was already filled when the Oatrun cars arrived.
Meredith stepped out beside Draven, her posture upright and her chin held high. She kept her gaze straight ahead, but she could feel the weight of eyes follow her every move as they moved through the entrance.
The room grew quiet. The elders seated in a semi-circle looked up one after another. Some with curiosity. Some with open scepticism, while some with poorly hidden disdain.
And then, Meredith’s gaze landed on Wanda.
Wanda Fellowes was seated behind her father, dressed elegantly, chin lifted, and her lips curved in a faint, knowing smile.
Meredith did not halt in her stride, but she noticed. Of course she did. So this was not merely a council meeting. It was a spectacle.
Reginald Fellowes leaned back in his seat, eyes narrowing slightly. "Well," he said dryly, "I did not know this was a family visit."
A few elders gave small, humourless chuckles, but Draven did not react.
Reginald continued with a smooth voice. "Bringing your mate here will not change the law, Alpha. As long as she is wolfless, she cannot ascend beside you."
A murmur of agreement followed. Then, another elder leaned forward. "Have you come to give us your decision, Alpha? Or shall we continue to delay your coronation indefinitely?"
Silence settled heavily in the chambers.
Draven’s jaw tightened once, then he spoke, "I have come with proof."
The chamber stilled as his golden gaze swept across every elder, pausing briefly on Reginald.
"You dared to question my mate’s qualification to stand beside me. Today, you will see why she will be crowned Queen."
A ripple of unease moved through the room.
Meredith felt Wanda’s smirk deepen. It looked so confident, so certain.
Regardless, Meredith stepped forward. She bowed politely, graceful and composed.
"Honoured Elders," she began, her voice steady, neither submissive nor aggressive. "I stand before you today only because you claimed that proof is the sole condition for my coronation."
She lifted her eyes calmly. "I do not seek to impress you. Nor to compete for your approval. But since you insist that without a wolf I cannot be Queen... I will satisfy your demand."
Then, she turned her head slightly to the side. Draven gave her a small nod. And in that brief moment, she saw Wanda’s arrogant, almost amused smirk.
Meredith met her gaze for one heartbeat, then she closed her eyes. Through the bond, her voice reached inward.
"Valmora, you know what we are about to do. Do not show them your full aura."
A low, amused response echoed back. "As if I would allow those power-hungry fossils to sense what we truly are. Rest assured, I will restrain myself."
Meredith inhaled once and shifted. The transformation was not violent or chaotic. It was smooth. Controlled. Absolute.
Where Meredith had stood moments ago now stood a magnificent white wolf. Tall and regal. Her fur shimmered faintly under the council chamber lights. Her posture was proud, unyielding.
The air changed heavily. The silence that followed was suffocating.
One elder’s chair scraped loudly against the floor as he instinctively pushed back.
Another elder half-rose before remembering himself. Then, whispers erupted.

How come Meredith has a wolf?
When did Meredith get a wolf?
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