He's gone in under four seconds.
Kieran's complexion grows paler, a sign that something had slipped through his control, and then he dashes out the door. I'm standing in the middle of the east wing, listening to his footsteps fade away at the end of the hallway.
I count to five.
Then I put on my shoes.
* * *
The lodge at 1 a.m. is a different animal.
During the day, wolves move through every corridor: eating, training, sparring, and living. At night, the building breathes quietly.
I follow the sound of voices.
The main hall. Kieran, Maddox, and Elara. Two enforcers I don't know yet. All of them were standing in a cluster near the far door with the specific body language of people receiving bad news.
Kieran has his back to me. He's talking in a low, rapid voice, and then Elara says
