Meryn reluctantly leaves Killian's chambers after their night together, still savoring his touch as she changes into her uniform. When she finally lowers the mental wall between herself and Anassa, she is overwhelmed by grief and rage flooding through the pack bond. Anassa furiously accuses her of blocking out the pack for "human pleasure." In the Strategos anteroom, Meryn finds her packmates in various states of distress. Egith coldly informs her that Strategos Alpha Markos was killed during a Siphon assault in Grunfall the previous night, and that Meryn missed the full debrief. The pack views Meryn as a selfish ladder-climber who shut them out to pursue the crown prince, and Egith privately warns her that the Sovereign Alpha, Siegrid Therion—Stark's mother—is coming from the front lines, and if she senses anyone not fitting into the pack, the consequences could be fatal.

Over the following days, Meryn endures isolation from her packmates and the silent treatment from both Anassa and Izabel. During sword training, Izabel fights Meryn aggressively and, when confronted, reveals her real hurt: not that Meryn missed the announcement, but that Meryn hid her relationship with Killian for months, failing to trust her as a friend. Before they can resolve things, horns announce the Sovereign Alpha's arrival at the castle gates.

Meryn tracks Izabel down in the Kryptos pack quarters, where Izabel is hiding with her twin Venna. Meryn apologizes sincerely, admitting she's inexperienced with friendship, and shares the full story of her year-long relationship with Killian. Izabel and Venna forgive her, and even Anassa softens slightly. Moments later, a messenger arrives summoning Meryn to see Sovereign Alpha Siegrid immediately.

Meryn walks through increasingly elaborate castle halls with Anassa at her side, dreading punishment. They enter an audience chamber where Siegrid Therion—an immensely powerful, scarred, older woman—waits with her enormous black wolf. Siegrid's presence is overwhelming, and Meryn struggles to even meet her gaze. When Meryn nervously tries to explain her relationship with Killian, assuming that's the reason for the summons, Siegrid dismisses her with contempt, declaring she has no interest in Meryn's love life. Instead, Siegrid reveals the true reason: the Strategos direwolves have convened and chosen Anassa as their next leader. Meryn is the new Strategos Alpha.