The word "captor" still hung in the air like smoke after a fire; no one spoke. The Silverfang warriors waited for their Alpha to respond, and the Nightshade wolves watching from the forest edge held their ground as well, tense and ready for blood. Mira felt the pressure of dozens of eyes pressing into her back.
Ryker stepped forward until he stood directly before the broken barrier and his gaze fixed on Kael.
“You crossed my territory,” Ryker said calmly. “Your wolves killed three of mine.”
Kael did not move. “And your wolves killed ours,” Kael replied.
“You brought them here,” Ryker answered.
Kael’s jaw tightened. “Yes,” he said. “I did.”
The admission rippled through the clearing. Mira watched Ryker carefully; she expected anger, and she expected the command to attack, but the Silv
