ne's

still lingering in my senses. The lights were on. My parents, Robert and Hel

ing my cold hands. "The pack link feels chaotic." That mental link-a spiritual

nally began to fade. I told them everything:

rack finally appeared in his usually stoic expression

happened so fast; they

my surprise, Father quic

y own addendum. Father remained silent for a long time after I finished, his finge

e of the mutual defe

were 'interception zone'-not an offensive deployment, but a defensive buffer. He won't fight

ping. He looked up at me. "Do

art of Silver Creek City's sphere of influence,'" I said. "The price is that all the

reed to

with loopholes from the start." I leaned back into the sofa. "Let him investigate. We won't have to plug the holes he uncovers. A

soft: "When you were discussing

h the Ironclaw Pack is only a mid-sized clan, we geographically control the three main trade routes connecting Silver Creek C

at me as if I

ou figure a

stroy the Ironclaws," I said. "You gave me the dir

ment we' d reached by the lake, turning it into a formal m

ff the screen an

be going over this draft point-by-point with the Wolf King, and I