Page 215 of Salt Between the Wolves
"He insisted it be delivered directly to you."
The room grew very still.
Soren took the letter.
The parchment felt ordinary enough, yet nothing about it explained the sudden unease settling beneath his skin.
The guard remained standing there, waiting and clearly curious, though equally determined not to show it.
"You may go."
The young wolf disappeared immediately.
The door closed, and silence returned.
For several moments, Soren simply stared at the seal.
Something about it felt deliberate and careful, as though whoever had sent it understood exactly how much attention a mystery could command.
Eventually, he broke the wax, unfolded the parchment, and began to read.
The message contained only three lines, with no greeting, no explanation, and no signature.
There didn't need to be one.
Soren recognized the handwriting immediately.
Leander.
His gaze moved to the first line.
She is alive.
For a moment, the room seemed to disappear as the fire, the rain, and the ache in his shoulder faded into the background, leaving only those three words behind.
Alive.
His grip tightened around the parchment as the mark beneath his ribs flared violently with a heat sharp enough to nearly steal his breath.
Slowly, he lowered his gaze to the next line.
Do not come for her.
The muscles in his jaw tightened before he read the final line.
Come for answers.
A heavy, absolute silence settled over the room.
Soren read the message again.
It was only three lines long, yet somehow the parchment felt heavier than any report he had received in months.
Alive.
That word came first, and everything else followed.
Why was she with Leander, what answers was he offering, what did he know, and why had he been so certain that Soren would come?
