Sabine closed her mouth. "N-no. No, I can do it," she said to Meesei. She lowered her eyes. "I have not been an alpha before. But I will take responsibility for Rhajul, if that is what the council requires."

Before anyone confirmed the verdict, Vera spoke up again. "Do'rhajul, taking Sabine as your alpha and becoming her packmate means more than simply deferring to her strength and allowing her to eat first on a hunt. You will forge a bond as close to family as you can obtain without relation by blood or marriage. Sabine shall become your guardian and mentor. You shall become an extension of her actions and capabilities, recognising her as your utmost authority and assisting her in whatever ways you know. You will protect one another, you will dine together, you will live in proximity, your fates will be twined as one indivisible unit. And in the end, at Hircine's Hunting Grounds, you will hunt together." Vera left a moment for the words to sink in and leaned into her seat. "And should Sabine take on more packmates, they will be as siblings to you. Sabine will remain your authority and guardian, though all other conditions and expectations between you and her will extend to your other packmates. That will be your life, with a new family."

"I do not wish to interrupt, Vera," Darahil said with a frown. "But I would rather not have a few of us get ahead of ourselves in spite of everyone else." He turned his head to each in the council, pointedly lingering on Ri'vashi. "What other sentences, if any, are to be brought forward for discussion? We have heard Do'rhajul's case. We have heard the arguments for and against. If there are options to be discussed, let us hear them. I will not allow my suggestion to be taken without thought."