"We will turn his fear into our story and let Vorath swallow the lie."
The prisoner, Zarek Nightshade, was a whimpering mess, utterly broken by the force of my command. Elias and I, having reverted to our human forms, dragged the terrified Beta toward the hidden villa we were using as our staging post near the Silverback Forest. The villa was remote, secured only by Elias's quick wards and the paralyzing submission of the rogue wolves I had scattered during my initial arrival. The fear radiating off Zarek was a suffocating cloud, yet my focus was fixed on the single, terrifying truth he had confirmed: Vorath knew the Conduit had failed, and he was actively watching our territory.
"He is a map," I hissed to Elias, my voice low and hard as we reached the villa's reinforced back door. "He confirms Vorath is operating blind, relying on desperate espionage rather than force. We have seconds before they realize he has not checked in."
