"What are you proposing?" I asked.
"I'll testify against my father. I'll tell the Council everything, all his schemes, his manipulation, how he manufactured evidence against you, how he's been coordinating attacks on progressive packs for months." Marcus straightened despite his injuries. "I'll give you everything you need to destroy him politically. In exchange, I want asylum at Nightshade."
"Absolutely not," Ezra said immediately. "You're not joining our pack."
"I don't expect full membership. Just protection. Once I testify, my father will kill me. I need somewhere safe to go."
"You rejected Nessa," Ezra said, his voice hard. "You humiliated her publicly, helped your father torment her for months. Why would we protect you?"
"Because I'm trying to do the right thing now," Marcus said desperately. "I know I don't deserve your help. I know I've done terrible things. But I'm offering you the chance to stop my father once and for all. Isn't that worth giving me protection?"
