"I'm sure he has," he said smoothly, voice warm and friendly as always.
The she-wolf and bear exchanged glances.
They knew his smile.
Knew what it hid.
Knew that their lord was just as dangerous as the alpha himself. Maybe more dangerous because you couldn't see it coming until it was too late.
Behind him, as he stepped past, he heard the she-wolf whisper urgently: "We should move to the outer perimeter. Now."
"Agreed. I'm not listening to that for three hours again."
"Move. Move. Before they start and we can't leave without being heard."
Their footsteps retreated rapidly, practically running.
He smiled wider as he pushed aside the heavy fur covering the chamber entrance.
And stepped into the alpha's domain.
The chamber was surprisingly well-appointed. Thick furs covering sleeping platforms, a massive wooden table covered in maps and strategic markers, torches casting warm flickering light across everything.
