Den's family comes from the outer settlements on Monday.
His mother. An aunt. A younger brother who can't be more than fifteen and keeps looking at the door like he's expecting Den to walk through it.
His name is Pip.
I know because Kell told me. Kell found out everything.
Den's mother is named Arla. She makes candles for the settlement market. Den used to help her pour the wax on weekends before he was old enough to join the outer guard.
I know all of this and I still don't know what to say when Arla walks into the packhouse and looks at me like I'm someone who should have answers.
Rylan meets them in the front hall.
He doesn't use the Alpha voice. He just talks. Low and direct and without excuses.
Arla listens with her hands folded in front of her and her face very still. The ki
