The six wolves were brought to the council circle before the meeting began.

Marina had insisted on that. Not after the discussion, not as a conclusion. Before. So that the council could look at them while they decided, so that the decision could not become abstract.

They stood in a loose group at the circle's edge. Not restrained. Not under guard. Marina had made that call too, and Ragnar had questioned it with his eyes if not his words, and she had held the position.

If they ran, that told the council something.

None of them ran.

Two of the Silvermoon wolves were middle aged, administrative types, the kind who...