The Alpha Who Stopped the Council

The moment I carved my mark into the registration stone for the Sacred Art Trial, words began drifting across my vision like smoke caught in moonlight:

[Here it comes! The fated-scent mate returns from the distant territories, steals the female lead's work, gets exposed and humiliated—total downfall!]

[Sure, the Alpha and his fated-scent were den-mates as pups, but they haven't crossed paths in seven or eight seasons. No way that compares to a bonded pair who've hunted side by side every moon!]

[Fated-scent? Please. Selene Ashford is just a vicious side character. Don't insult the term.]