“I can manage myself.”
“Your injury makes your movements uneven. The bandage will be loose.” I wrap the cloth around her torso, feeling a jolt of awareness wherever my fingers brush her skin. “Why did you come in person?”
“I already told you. Councilor Thorne?—”
“No. Why you specifically? Not a messenger. Not the guards. You personally.”
She remains quiet while I finish securing the bandage. Finally, she meets my gaze. “I didn’t think. I just acted.”
Her simple honesty affects me more deeply than any elaborate explanation could have.
“Thank you,” I say softly. “My pack will remember what you did.”
“I don’t seek gratitude. I want to prevent further bloodshed.”
“Then our goals align. But these settlers violated peace negotiations. Consequences must follow.”
Ember adjusts her dress, flinching. “What sort of consequences?”
“Shadow Wolf tradition. Nothing beyond justice.”
“Which means?”
“For attacking cubs intentionally? Death is customary. But I’ll consider alternatives.”
“You cannot execute them!”
“Why not? They came to slaughter us. Women. Children. Elders.”
“Killing them destroys any hope for peace. The council will demand retribution.”
“The council orchestrated this.”
“No. This was a radical faction. Kade would never sanction such an attack.”
“Can you prove that?”
She falters. “No. But I know my brother.”
I observe her expression, seeing only sincerity. “Then help me find justice that won’t ignite war.”
“Let me interrogate them first. Discover who organized this, who provided weapons. Then we’ll determine punishment together.”
“Together?” The word hangs between us.
“Yes. You must demonstrate strength to your pack. I must show fairness to the council. We need a compromise.”
Compromise. This concept seems alien to wild clan thinking—almost laughable. For us, only strength or weakness exists, victory or defeat. But watching Ember, I recognize something different—a new kind of strength.
“Very well. We’ll interrogate them together. But first, you must rest. You’ve lost blood.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re unsteady.”
“I’m—” she sways slightly, confirming my point.
I grasp her arm to stabilize her, experiencing another wave of awareness. I notice her pupils widen in response.
