I needed air, a minute free from the weight of decisions weighing me down.
The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting shadows. along the ground. My mind circled back, as it eternally did, to Dane to the frail outline of his body in my memory.
âLuna,â Rowan called, his voice breaking into my thoughts.
I turned to see him coming, Lila at his side, she seemed hurt as she limped and had a bandage around her head. I donât bother to ask her how it happened.
Nerves were betrayed in every angle; his eyes flickered from mine down toward the ground. âI need to talk to you.â
âDoes it involve more bad news?â I asked, my voice sharper than I had intended.
Rowan flinched but stood his ground. âNo, not bad news⦠At least, I hope not.â
Lila prodded him forward with her elbow, nudging him onward.
âWeâve been looking into the contacts that Calla had,â Rowan said, his voice firming up. âLila and I have been researching the
archives, hoping weâd find something to help us in strengthening pack defenses.â
I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. âAnd?â
Rowan was slower to continue âWe found some old maps and documents that suggested Calla may have been in league with a rogue network, working close to our borders.â
My eyebrows shot up. âYouâre sure?â
Lila spoke this time, her tone even and soothing. âThe evidence is strong, mentioning key locations and names we have heard. before.
I watched them closely. Nobody showed hesitation; nobody looked uncertain. âAnd what, precisely, do you plan to do with this information?â
Rowan stepped forward. âWe will strategize and use this to protect the pack.â.
I let out a sigh, my face softening. âYouâre trying to prove yourself to the pack, arenât you?â
âNot just to the pack,â Rowan said, correcting my tone with softness to his voice. âTo myself⦠come with us, we will show you in the archives.â
My curiosity getting the better of my doubts, I followed them to the archives. The room was covered with aged paper and dust, record after record from battles, alliances, and treasons lining