Rowen’s mouth tightened, but I saw the flicker of something else beneath it. Pride, maybe. Definitely approval.
I adjusted the phone slightly, more out of restlessness than anything else.
“At first, I thought it was just mismanagement,” I admitted to her. “Shifters not adjusting to change, causing tensions to flare. But with the repeated attacks, this isn’t just about pack culture anymore. This is orchestrated. Intentional. Someone’s feeding these attacks.”
“And it’s not just Hollis.”
“No.” I paused. “It’s deeper. Which means this isn’t a clean-up job anymore. It’s war.”
Rowen exhaled through her nose. “You’re going to need eyes everywhere.”
“Diesel is running external sweeps as he tracks them. I trust him. Axel and Brand are watching everything, everyone.”
Her expression softened. Just slightly. “And you?”
I met her gaze through the screen. “I’m calling my mate and telling her some hard truths, knowing she isn’t someone who flinches when she’s outnumbered.”
She tilted her head. “Flattery? After the conversation we just had?” She looked away. “I don’t think I deserve it, Wolfe.”
“It isn’t flattery. It’s a necessity.”
She looked back at me, both of us watching each other. “And what exactly do you want from me, Wolfe?”
“Support,” I said. “Information. Anything you may have seen or heard and not even known that’s what it was at the time, anything that could be similar leaks or rogue sightings. Ifyou rememberanything, I want to know, and hopefully it will prevent the next funeral.”
She nodded slowly. “I’ll go over everything that’s happened in the Hollow since Dad started to fail.Everyone.”
The silence stretched again. Not comfortable like last night, but not fiery. Justtired.
“Rowen,” I spoke, voice quieter. She looked up, eyes unguarded,open. “I don’t think you’re a traitor,” I murmured, and I saw the look of relief followed by a small, happy smile she failed to hide. “I’ll see you soon, princess.”
“Okay,” she said. Almost warmly. She reached forward, about to hang up—then paused. “Wolfe?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t forget to sleep. Even alphas bleed.”
The screen went black before I could ask if that was a warning or encouragement to rest.
The roomoff the pack hall where Malric used to hold his council meetings smelled like old smoke and older opinions.
They were already seated when I walked in—three of them, hunched in their chairs, wearing robes like that made them wise, not tired. Murrow sat in the center, flanked by Mella and Corrin. All three had run the Hollow before I came back. All three had survived by playing the long game.
I didn’t sit.
“You asked for a meeting,” I said flatly.
Mella’s mouth pinched like she’d swallowed something bitter. “We were hoping to discuss the recent…atmosphere…in Blueridge Hollow.”
Murrow cleared his throat. “Specifically, your approach to internal discipline.”
I arched a brow. “Internaldiscipline?”
Corrin leaned forward. “Dragging a packmate into the cells. Using your Will over them. Sending families away?—”
“He was using hissonto pass messages to the enemy,” I snapped. “And that message nearly handed over the names of three of our patrols. Would you prefer I let him finish the job first?” I looked at each of them. “He threatened to hurt his youngest child if his son didn’t comply. He allowed another male into their home to rape his wife. Isentthe family away from here to give them the chance toheal.”
A beat of silence.
