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“They spoke of a border,” I said, my voice calm, almost idle changing the subject. “In the council chamber.”
Draven’s posture shifted. Not much. Just enough.
“One of the elders raised it,” I continued. “And Raiden brushed it off.”
I turned back to face him.
“Why?”
His gaze sharpened instantly.
“Why would an Alpha dismiss something like that,” I pressed, “in front of his council, unless it was already out of his control or far worse than they’re allowed to know?”
Silence stretched.
The fire popped softly behind me.
Draven didn’t answer right away.
When he did, it wasn’t denial.
“There are things beyond our lands,” he went on, carefully now, “that don’t respect treaties. Or councils. Or old bloodlines.”
“And?” I prompted.
“And Raiden believes,” Draven said, “that if he ac
