"Send them forward."
Luca's voice icy and relentless broke through the quiet. Under the full moon, the pack had gathered in the clearing under tense air. Two individuals were hauled into the middle of the circle, and wolves murmured among themselves, clearly uncomfortable.
Kael stood next to me, his golden eyes flickering with curiosity. He mumbled, "This should be interesting," with a slight but piercing smile.
"Not the time, Kael," I answered softly.
He shucked but said nothing more.
With looks a combination of defiance and terror, the accused wolves bowed before the Alpha. Ryker moved ahead with a sad look. "These two were caught last night slinking into the southern border," he added. "Tracks directly to the territory of the competing pack."
"They lie! One of the accused broke off, his voice shaking. "We hardly came close to the border!"
Ryker laughed. Funny how your footprints convey a different tale.
