through three kilometers of dense pine forest. By the time the

otted two that I was clearly meant to see, but t

clear sight lines. This was not a house that wanted to look like it was guarded for the sake of app

Vega, while keeping my hands visible. I held my chin level as

ore he ever looked at a face. He spoke a few words into his radio an

dn't hold a single trace of curiosity. I wonder if h

gan to grind open on its tracks. The way he said it made

eading to the front steps. They walked me through two long corridors

and potential sight lines. I noted which doors were reinforced

without even realizing it was a survival skill. Now it is t

f windows in the secondary hallway. The door to the study w

shold and refused to go in. I understood immediately that this was

without being specifically asked to enter. I took a ste

th his back to the door when I walked in. He was looking out at the courtyard below and did not turn around to ackn

thing as being relaxed. It was a form of absolute and deliberate con

phas, but I have never been in a r

ore a massive lightning strike. I stop in the cent

ady knows I am standing here. He turned after a moment of sile

tention when it landed on me. Reacting would be the first

rried, predatory focus. He crossed the room to his desk and

s deciding exactly

, his voice deep and s

the report his gate wolf sent ahead. I sat in th

ed, matching h

g them shake. I met his eyes and did not look away beca

a wolf with no pack," he sai

de the hair on my neck stand up. He is

no built. I told him I track, scout, and read pack dynamics for whoever is willing to pay. I ex

hort, dry sound that might have been a laugh if he were a different

said, his voice dropping an octave. "Most of them

from his dark gaze.

t of his assessment like physical pressure changing before a storm. It was something atmo

demar estate

three bloodline territories cl

s the cleanest operational re

that the wolves around him are worth learning from. I am no

fractional adjustment of interest. He picked up the pap

ss the page, looking for a f

file. "Before that, it was Valencia." He pointed out that I

"Staying in one territory without a pack

down and stood u

aid, moving to the front of

e was standing directly

aying is up to you." I held myself very sti

ct to his physical presence. I stay exactly where I

and now it is getting louder. It is a low vibration that I can fe

period, when he stopped completely. His head tilted a

much sharper and more focused. It was the attention of a predato

t place. I do not move and I do not breathe as

eat of it is pulsing against my skin. He looks bac

mell like ash