Isaac bowed his head, deeper this time. "Then I will wait," he said quietly. "Not as an elder. As a guardian of Crestwood."
Claudia held his gaze for a long moment, weighing his loyalty. Then she turned back toward the house.
John moved toward Isaac.
"She may not question the honour in your motives," John said evenly, stopping just short of Isaac's personal space, "but may I?"
Isaac turned his head slowly, appraising John the way one might inspect an unfamiliar tool, already convinced of its inferiority.
"Did you know," Isaac said, "that no one knew your name until two days ago? John Walters." He let the name linger. "I heard it was your son who made waves with the alpha. Quite impressive, really. I was wondering why the alpha was spending so much time with the pup."
