Isla looked at him.
"I don't think anyone fully understands what's coming next."
Cedric held her gaze.
"No."
A small smile appeared.
"They don't."
For a moment nobody spoke.
Then Cedric nodded once, as though something had settled into place.
"Good."
I looked at him.
"That's twice you've said that."
"It is."
"And?"
Cedric stood.
"And I trust wolves who know the difference between certainty and arrogance."
The decision was already made.
I could hear it in his voice.
Cedric looked between us.
"When the High Council arrives, Coldmere will stand where it should."
The statement was simple.
No dramatic announcement.
No speech.
Just a decision.
Exactly the way Cedric preferred to make them.
Then he moved toward the door.
"I assume lunch is better than the food my escort h
