King Elk Forest He is not one of us.

She hated her silence, but cowardice refused to let her speak up. Shame at herself mostly, for wasting these people's time. They were a cult, yes, but... she felt bad all the same. She had told Cenric she wouldn't let him down. Now she was.

Wren was at a crossroads.

Did she support Elijah in joining a place that didn't want him? Did she chase him out, tell him to get out and be as stubborn and aggressive as these wolves? True, only a female was outwardly annoyed by this but... Wren closed her eyes, sucking a breath.

She could stand by Elijah. He was a goof but he was her friend. He was ignorant, but maybe their actions would make him see the light. Maybe he would leave on his own accord, and then Wren would feel better about saying she would leave with him.

But she knew she couldn't say shit to Celnes. Not in front of her pack. No - it would only destroy what the King had tried to do. It would undermind her. It would reject her olive branch. Most of all, it would insult her. It wasn't Celnes that was the problem. It was everything else, High Elk be damned.

So she remained quiet, her eyes focusing on Elijah.