The previous talk with Susan still floated around in his head. Her words had unsettl

maining out, crouched and ready to engage. But it wasn't

Al

rom the somber sides. He was there, his silhouetted form was visible,

y out here?," the Alpha said, his voice cool

s claws but didn't

he thought for a second. Just then a second set of foots

athered face marked with scars from battles long past. Behi

heir father asked, his deep voice car

mpany, Mikhail replied

were disastrous and he was toiling over his brother. "

ail shielded his gaze obstinately ahead from

ade eye contact with the Alpha and then directed towards the

very time, but he managed to give a little n

t was very consoling in the cold. The elders settled first, their expressions calm but unreadable. The Alpha sat down on the right side of

e Alpha said, his vo

hail replied, h

aning back against the

ers' eyes on him. They were judging him, as they always did. Whatever successe

's been a long time since we've all

uttered under his breath, earni

the Alpha said, his v

is tone brooking no argument.

d his jaw, biti

ved closer. "The pack has been through much these past mo

d ones always spoke like enigmas, and never unders

pening all of a sudden? Mikhai

him with a steady

speak. The Alpha's face was void of any reaction, but, on the

get around the edges of

hrew in with as cool a voice as he could. "For now, let'

is brother care about calm? The Alpha thrived in chaos, in battle

nce. "Mikhail, your reputation precedes you.

elder, surprised by the prais

ice rough with age, "you've brought hono

pression remained unreadable. Proud? That word had never b

" Mikhail repeated, his

hich hurt Mikhail's nerves. "Alw

. "Not all of us can

re vanished, and for a while, the two men shared a lon

im. "As far as I'm concerned, this ends here. No more com

Mikhail asked, unable

long shadow over the camp. "We'll discuss that

could get worse if he went on, he kept his robot frozen facial expression and said nothing. Th

ve Mikhail a knowing glance. "Get some sleep, litt

ned and his thoughts were running wild. What was going on that his br

r faces, the group existed quietly, and Mikhail was overwhelmed by the

st time in a long time, he