Page 33 of When Two Worlds Collide

“They’ll hear it during tomorrow’s scheduled negotiations.”

“Tomorrow might prove too late. The vampire-dragon alliance pressures the council for immediate military action against all wild shifter incursions. Delay could result in alliance forces surrounding your territory by nightfall.”

The threat seems clear, as does the trap. Abandon my territory to attend a council meeting which is potentially already determined? Or remain, risking guilt by association with Mountain Bears?

“The prisoners stay here. But I’ll address the council. After we question the attack leaders.”

“We lack time?—”

“Make time. One hour for questioning. Then I’ll accompany you to the council.”

Kade glances at Ember, who subtly indicates agreement. “One hour,” he reluctantly concedes. “We depart immediately afterward.”

“Agreed. Prepare the main prisoner for questioning.”

As Marcus complies, I notice Kade watching Ember withconfusion and concern. He senses something changed between us, without understanding what or how deeply.

I lead them to a small clearing with a wooden chair prepared. Two warriors bring forward a settler, broad-shouldered with a hardened face and callused hands. They secure him.

“This is Bran Thornfield,” Ember identifies. “He owns the largest farm near the eastern settlement.”

The man spits toward her feet. “Traitor. Fighting for beasts against your own kind.”

“My kind don’t attack cubs.”

I step forward. “Who organized the attack?”

He remains silent.

“You came prepared. Armed with silver. You knew our layout. Someone provided information. Who?”

His heartbeat accelerates, but he maintains silence.

“Shadow Wolf justice for attacking cubs means death. Cooperation might reduce your punishment.”

“Leniency from savages?” He laughs harshly. “I’ll take my chances.”

Ember steps beside me. “Twenty settlers attacked this camp, Bran. Only you possessed a detailed map. Only you directed others. Your companions identify you as their leader.”

His eyes widen.

“If you led this, you bear full responsibility under both council and Shadow Wolf traditions. Others claim they followed orders, leaving you facing the harshest punishment.”

“I wasn’t the leader,” he quickly responds. “I simply followed the plan.”

“Whose plan?” I demand.

He hesitates. “Fletcher. Councilor Fletcher from the council. He provided weapons, camp layout, everything.”

Ember inhales sharply. “Councilor Fletcher? He sits on the senior council.”

“He claimed these wolves planned to attack settlements. Said we needed to strike first, eliminate them before they eliminated us. He said the council was too weak to protect us, that we needed to act independently.”

“And you believed him?” Ember speaks with tension.

“We’ve seen what wild shifters do! Stories from the East, the Mountain Bear massacres?—”

“We are not Mountain Bears,” I interrupt. “We’ve harmed no settlers since arriving in this territory, not yet anyway.”

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