“Within the hour,” I answer.
The rogue’s scent lingers beneath the metallic sharpness of blood, threading uphill into thicker cover. The human scent overlaps in short, irregular bursts, as if someone stepped close enough to inspect before leaving.
“You suspect coordination,” Kieran says.
“I suspect provocation,” I reply.
If the town sees this display from the road, escalation follows quickly. Hunters will organize, weapons will come out, and boundaries will blur in panic.
“Kieran,” I say, rising to my feet, “seal the outer patrol routes immediately.”
He nods once without hesitation.
“No solo rotations,” I continue. “Pairs only, rotating hourly. If the rogue remains within range, we cut off retreat paths before dusk.”
“And the site?” he asks.
“Remove the carcass now,” I reply. “Scrub the soil and scatter the debris.”
He gestures to the wolves at the perimeter, and they move efficiently toward the body.
I track the rogue’s scent a short distance uphill before stopping. The trail bends west into denser terrain that narrows into familiar ground. He is retreating to territory where pursuit becomes disadvantage.
I turn back rather than chase blindly.
By the time I return to the mansion grounds, patrol routes have already doubled. Wolves move in coordinated pairs along the boundary, posture alert and controlled.
Ciaran approaches from the lower ridge, expression tight but measured.
“You found human prints,” he says.
“Yes,” I reply.
He exhales through his nose. “This complicates things.”
“It clarifies intent,” I answer.
He studies my face for a moment. “She will connect that quickly.”
“She will not see the site,” I say. “Keep her within the lower boundary.”
He nods once, understanding without further explanation.
I move toward the central clearing and call for assembly. The message spreads quickly, and the core pack gathers in disciplined formation within minutes. Murmurs ripple through the group, anticipation thick in the air.
“There will be a curfew,” I say once silence settles. “No wolf moves beyond the inner boundary after sunset without explicit clearance.”
Several younger wolves exchange uneasy glances.
“This is temporary,” I continue. “Outer patrol routes are doubled. No one travels alone.”
A low voice from the back questions the necessity.
“Is this preparation for conflict?” a younger male asks.
“It is prevention,” I reply. “The rogue escalated today with a display within sight of town traffic.”
Murmurs grow sharper.
