(Zayden)
The war room smells like iron and bad coffee.
There were eight elders with Rowan at the head and Dax at my right. The oak table has a fresh gouge in it from last night when I slammed my fist down.
“The runner returned at dawn,” Dax says. “No answer from Alpha Kieran.”
The room felt silent as Elder John frowns. “What do you mean ‘no answer’?”
“I mean he wouldn’t meet him,” Dax says.
“Crescent Moon guards took the parchment at the border and said they’d pass it to their Alpha. Then they sent the runner home.”
Rowan’s cane taps. “Did they confirm they have her?”
“They confirmed nothing,” Dax says. “They didn’t deny it either. Just: ‘Message received.’”
Maren slams a hand on the table. “Cowards. They are hiding a deserter and refusing to answer.”
“We don’t know if they’re h
