Page 117 of Shifters Unifying

“He spared you from injury in the attack at the creek,” the other one snapped. “Your fealty and obedience are required.”

A twig snapped somewhere in the forest, and they both froze to listen and test the air. Had someone else followed us into the woods?

“I must go,” the raven said. “I’ll return in two days’ time for our next report.”

Salali caught the arm of the raven. “But not here next time. It’s too close to the manor, and we’re just asking to get caught. Some place back in East Nuttal.”

The stranger hopped away, flapping her arms as she shifted into a bird who flew into the air. She circled once and then pointed her beak toward No Man’s Land.

Salali glanced over her shoulder and shrank down into her squirrel form before darting over the underbrush, back toward Six-Mile… like she hadn’t just given a report to the enemy… like she wasn’t on Acheron’s side.

After the noise of Salali scampering through the forest disappeared in the distance, I slipped out of my hiding place, changed into a hum, and sagged against the closest tree, fighting a rush of sobs. I’d been so desperate for another supporter, any supporter, and I’d completely missed who Salali really was.

My ally…

The alpha of East Nuttal Delta…

…is a traitor.

The Gathering Place

Between Bear Trees & Red Tail Territories

“You won’t win,” Salali spat at me.

The squirrel alpha stood on display at the front of the now doubly warded Gathering Place, to one side, and I stood opposite as her confronter and accuser.

She seethed. “You will fail. Acheron is stronger. His is the only way for our kind to survive.”

At her words, Torbin, who had been leaning on the council table behind us, leapt forward. “You will not speak to the multimorph,” Torbin roared in Salali’s face, his spittle splattering her cheeks. “Traitors have no rights and no voice here.”

The minute Salali had strolled back into camp, picking leaves from her hair, I’d shifted to my human form, called an emergency conclave, and sent her warriors to contain her with other members of Six-Mile following behind, observing their behavior. Maybe it had been a risky test, but it was the quickest way for me to determine if Salali’s best five had been in on it.

Evie, Ahmie, Reuben, Benjamin, and Levi had all gone to do my bidding with questions in their eyes. But they’d gone without challenging me. For now, none of them were on my shit list. Confirmation by delving would come later.

“Continue, multimorph,” Torbin instructed gruffly. “If necessary, we will gag and bridle her to keep her quiet. She will respect your position among us.”

With Logan gone, my appreciation for Torbin’s supportive leadership had doubled. The bear liked to play devil’s advocate now and then, but he was loyal and dependable. When he decided a thing, he was immovable.

“Thank you,” I mouthed.

He ducked his head.

I turned to the assembled alphas and clan members. “As you know, I caught Salali at the window of Logan’s—ofmy—office,” I corrected, “eavesdropping. That alone means nothing other thana stern reprimand. But I left the manor house and followed her to the edge of Six-Mile where she met with a raven who I did not recognize. They spoke of our plans, and when the raven left, the shifter flew toward…” I stumbled on what to say since so few knew where Logan had gone. And I wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible. “Toward Acheron.”

Levi stood from his seat in the assembled shifters. “How do you know the raven flew toward Acheron, multimorph?”

Salali glared at me, at him, at anybody who met her gaze.

“She speaks the truth,” Marcus announced from his spot against the wall, his head held high. He’d brought himself into the gathering place and felt his way down the stairs, stumbling only once. “I share the knowledge that sent Logan on a mission that, clearly, must remain a secret.”

A murmur filtered through the attendees.

“Ah, yes, had none of you noticed that her fated mate isn’t in attendance?” he boomed. “They’re as blind as I am,” he added under his breath. Louder, he added, “What reason could he have to leave except being sent? By your leader, byourleader,” he added.

“We should know what the multimorph knows,” someone quipped from the back.

Marcus scoffed. “We’ve discovered one spy for Acheron. Do you really believe there aren’t more?” His words sent icy tendrils down my spine. “It’s the same reason we kept our journey to ourselves.”