Laika paid her full attention to the queen. “As you all now know, Phobus is remaining loose. He is not to leave Tarben territory, as per agreement with the truce. If he is seen, he is a kill on sight. If any of the following wolves are seen, they are a kill on sight-Callie, member of Sindri. Lova, member of Tarben. Estelle, member of Nightingale. Balerion, member of Tarben. Do not trespass, as that would violate our terms and could mean the death of our innocents in Tarben. As you may recall, we have not recovered Drevis though she does seem to still be alive-and they now have my own daughter Lähmer in place of Beartooth’s daughter Aethelflaed. Aethelflaed is not to be harmed, and will have two Sigmas on watch for her at all times-Ruax and Styxx, that falls on you two.” Laika nodded. She figured that the kill-on-sights were the wolves who had killed Hawthorne’s own. Laika would take their throats herself.
She stared at the bodies. Aya, Oracle, Bastian, Helheim, Damian. And Drevis and Lähmer. She said a silent prayer over each of the dead.


“I tried to be someone else - but nothing really changed; I know now, this is who I really am inside!”