Page 27 of Season's Greetings
Blackboards—were they even a thing anymore? Or was it all whiteboards and vid-screens?
Who knew? Certainly not Daniel.
Not that he cared.
His brain was just trying to deflect from dwelling on the verbal slaying his reputation had just taken.
The only solace was the note at the bottom from the Gazette’s editor:
Editor’s Note:
As of publication, multiple members of North Star Pack have issued counter-statements defending Alpha Sanders andcondemning species-based rhetoric. The council has yet to make a formal declaration.
Maybe Grady was right.
Maybe theydidneed to address the way Claudia was pushing her vendetta.
It didn’t seem to be about Matthew and Toby anymore.
It was about her saving face. Digging in. Using him as an excuse to push her political agenda.
Her extremist views. Her twisted, toxic comments.
Attacking pack and tradition?
That was a line Daniel couldn’t let her cross.
So, with a heavy heart, he drew up a formal notice of grievance.
He outlined his reasons—how Claudia was weaponizing sacred rituals for personal gain.
In effect, becoming a Ritebreaker.
If her pack upheld the complaint, the consequences would be severe.
Not exile, exactly.
But it would end her career.
No pack would accept her as legal counsel. Any invitation to attend Council sessions would stop.
But that wasn’t the worst part.
If her pack declared her a Ritebreaker, she would lose her seat as heir to her family’s legacy.
Effectively disinherited.
The paper rustled in his trembling hands.
Sweat beaded on his brow.
A cold knot twisted in his stomach—his pulse hammered against his ribs.
His vision narrowed, the edges of the world blurring—as if he were underwater—until they snapped back into focus.
Reaching for his pen, Daniel signed his name at the bottom of the page.
Standing, he headed to the foyer and handed Jessica the paper, ignoring her gasp of surprise.
