Darian's eyes glistened as he lifted his head, glaring at the long-haired female adjudicator at the front. "Elder Duskthorn, you're allies with Kael Nightforge's mother. Of course you'd side with him. But none of us even named the culprit, and you're already rushing to shield him. Don't you think that oversteps your authority?"
Selene piled on, her voice cold as winter frost: "Elder Duskthorn, I offered five million in tribute to this rite. Not so I could watch you play favorites and manipulate outcomes from the shadows. My prize allocation needs to go to someone who actually earned it through honor."
The other contestants joined the chorus:
"So the adjudicator is allied with Kael Nightforge's mother? No wonder he had opportunity to swap the ritual marks!"
"What a dishonorable scheme. And he calls himself Alpha-born? More like a parasite feeding off common wolves!"
Darian fixed Elara Duskthorn with a stubborn stare. "I demand a review of all rite entries! And I demand that Elder Duskthorn—who's clearly protecting him—step down immediately!"
Elara remained silent. I spoke before she could.