Dinner was served in the main hall, a monstrous room with stone walls and high ceilings that seemed to swallow sound. I'd showered and changed into cleaner clothes, something that didn't smell like sweat, and made my way downstairs just as the sun began its early descent. Winter up here was brutal. Darkness came fast and stayed long, like the world was trying to erase the light entirely.
I expected to eat alone, maybe with a few of the lower-ranking wolves who wouldn't bother speaking to me. What I didn't expect was Darien waiting at the bottom of the stairs, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
"Took you long enough," he said, pushing off the wall.
I blinked. "Were you waiting for me?"
"We need to talk." He gestured toward the dining hall. "Walk with me."
I fell into step
