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Octavian nodded slowly. “Then the law recognises her authority over all three boys. Her mate’s absence does not remove her authority over her household.”

Bastian leaned forward. “Then you are asking to claim four Omegas. If a fertile female and three rare Omega boys can be handed to one Pack, I should be entitled to request four Omegas for Packs of my choosing.”

Octavian turned towards him, but I spoke before he could answer.

“Enough. We will not discuss competing claims in this chamber. The mother and her three children remain together under Vaelor’s protection.”

I looked towards Octavian.

“You may approach me after the Council concludes. Given the original contract and the child’s genetic connection to your son, the matter will receive priority.”

He inclined his head, then turned back towards Severin.

“Before we discuss where these people will live, should we not consider returning them to their own world?” Oswald asked.

“We cannot send them away,” Bastian said. “They could secure the future of hundreds of Packs. If even half of them produce an Omega⁠—”

“Returning C-17 Omegas to their world is not medically safe,” I said. “House Tureen’s own records document repeated heats, severe instability and rapid deterioration without the hormonal and environmental support available here. Most attempts ended in death within two weeks.”

Severin leaned forward.

“Why not tell them everything, Magnus? Your sons have already benefited from the work you condemn. Their mate conceived outside a heat and gave birth to an Omega daughter. Were you going to share that with the Council?”

“Can she conceive at any point?” Oswald asked.

“Are her mates planning more children?” Bertram added. “How soon could she conceive again?”

“Does it require a scent match as high as theirs?” Bastian asked.

Octavian’s voice cut through the questions. “Lord Vaelor will answer.”

Severin knew about the birth, and I would have to find out how. He was already using my sons’ good fortune to question my motives. I had kept the investigation and the operation from this Council; if they later discovered that I had also concealed the twins, they would have reason to doubt the rest of my account.

“My daughter, Lady Elowen Stormforge, conceived outside a heat. She gave birth to twin Omega daughters.”

Severin’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open.

“Twins?”

“Yes. Both Omegas.”

He stared at me across the silent table. Even Octavian had gone still, his attention fixed on me.

Severin swallowed, then turned towards the others.

“Say what you wish about my House and our methods. We have achieved something no other realm has. We have secured the future of our people.”

“Even if this Council were willing to overlook twelve thousand deaths, rape and torture for the sake of that knowledge, what would excuse the murder of a High Lord?” I asked. “Or the Alphas imprisoned on false evidence so you could influence their Houses? Those are only the crimes we have confirmed.”

“No High Lord at this table is innocent.”

“I have not killed another High Lord, or raped and tortured innocents.”

Severin held my gaze without answering.

“Your House has the first Omega twins born in three centuries across the seven realms because of our work,” he said at last. “You benefit from it, yet you stand here seeking to remove me.”

“High Mountain requires the lawful functions of your House. It does not require you to perform them.”