I step closer and look over his shoulder.
He traces a line along the eastern ridge, then down toward the ravine cut. “These access roads were reopened when civilians began sweeping,” he explains. “Hunters prefer these trails because they can park close and walk in.”
I study the map, then overlay it mentally with my corridor pattern.
The alignment is almost too clean.
“The rogue’s escape route intersects these access roads,” I say.
Ciaran nods. “Yes.”
I lean closer, following the line with my finger. “If he uses these roads, he can move between zones faster than a standard patrol.”
“And blend into civilian activity,” Ciaran adds.
“He could watch patrol shifts from human cover,” I say. “Or coordinate timing with hunter presence.”
Ciaran’s mouth tightens. “That would require precision.”
“Everything about him is precise,” I reply.
We stand in silence for a moment, the maps spread out like pieces of a puzzle that refuse to stay separate. The estate feels quieter in this wing, but the quiet is deceptive. Voicesecho faintly from the main hall, and footsteps pass by the door without stopping.
I tap the map lightly. “We need to move the cameras.”
Ciaran’s eyes lift sharply. “Where.”
“To these access roads,” I say. “Especially now that civilians are actively using them.”
His expression shifts to something more guarded. “Those areas are volatile.”
“That is the point,” I reply. “If the rogue uses them, we narrow in on who is moving through them and when.”
Ciaran steps back from the desk and folds his arms. “It will expose you.”
“I will not be alone,” I say.
“You will still be visible,” he counters. “Hunters are not careful. Wolves are not careful, and Alden won’t like this.”
The mention of his name does something unhelpful to my pulse.
“He does not have to like it,” I say. “He just has to understand the necessity.”
Ciaran studies me longer this time, searching for something behind my words. “He is protective,” he says carefully.
“He is overprotective,” I reply.
The correction slips out faster than I intend.
I gather the maps and shift them closer together, drawing a rough line from the ravine system to the reopened access roads. The overlap is clear enough that even someone resistant to the idea would struggle to ignore it.
“Predators escalate when cornered,” I continue. “This one is escalating fast.”
Ciaran’s jaw tightens slightly.
“He carved an Alpha Challenge mark,” I add. “He attacked livestock, a ranch dog, and now a patrol wolf. Each move increases tension.”
Ciaran looks toward the window briefly, then back to me. “You believe he is accelerating toward something.”
