Mira hurried back to the manor, leaving the other scouts to finish their patrol. At the gate, she found Kim still on watch and handed him a slice of bread wrapped in cloth.
"You should eat something," she said.
Kim nodded but did not move far from his post.
"Listen—urgent message from Bran," Mira blurted out.
"Aiden will take Tristan. Shannon will go after him—you know he will. And when he does, Aiden will strike. His brother does not trust him with the details."
Kim exhaled slowly. "Then we tell the Alpha." He whistled, calling another guard to take his place.
Inside, mother and daughter were reviewing the week's accounts, while Shannon drank tea. A single oil lamp lit the room when Kim and Mira entered.
"What is it?" Shannon asked.
Kim didn't hesitate. "Bran met Mira. Tomorrow, Aiden will take Tristan—and then he means to bring you down as well."
Tara's face went pale, though her voice stayed steady. "Then we must not let Tristan out of our sight."
