The interrogations began within the hour.

Marina sat in a corner of Silvain's private study, her presence deliberately understated. To the wolves being questioned, she appeared to be simply present the Alpha's mate, observing pack business as was her right. None of them knew she was reading every flicker of emotion, every shadow of deception that crossed their faces.

Her hybrid magic, still recovering but functional, let her sense the darkness in people's hearts. It wasn't foolproof she couldn't read thoughts or compel truth but she could feel when someone lied, when fear spiked unnaturally, when guilt festered beneath calm exteriors.

The first three wolves were clean. Loyal, honest, confused...