Ari jumped in. [I know. We killed one of our own. But what else could we have done? Father sent Darius. We were both supposed to be taken back alive, yet Klaric was not obeying that command. Father will have the news by now,] she urged her human, growling deep in her chest, trying to soothe Chrystal.
[Father wants Castian. You saw his face at the ceremony. You saw Darius’ face, too, in the field. Both of them. They want only one wolf from all this. If we go back, without Castian, or without a way to give him to Father, what do you think he will do?]
Ari fell silent.
Chrystal continued. [What will we bargain with, Ari? What is my leverage with Father if I don’t give him these rogues?]
[Should we stay outside then?] Ari pushed back, patiently. [Don’t you see how some of these wolves have
