3

The Builder stands aghast, staring at you as though you suddenly sprouted horns and a forked tail. "You'd suggest we burn down the very facilities that many of us have worked at for most of our lives? You do understand that the humans feed us in exchange for our labor? I didn't want to get a free ride, just to get the schedule back to normal! I want to work—we all want to work! It keeps us busy and gives us a feeling of worth, even while living in this awful place. I suppose it was too much to hope that a pup so new to the world would understand."

Haken leans over to you and whispers in your ear. "For once I agree with you, pup. These builders need to grow some balls, or whatever they have left is gonna get stomped by the humans' jackboots."

Another wolf stands. "Some of us have heard that you were contacted by a werewolf liberation group from outside the walls. Do you plan to work with these humans?"

A harsh buzz overtakes the meeting as wolves confer and whisper to each other in surprise and bewilderment. How had the secret leaked? One of the trusted wolves of Ahote's warehouse meeting must have passed on sensitive information.

For a fraction of a second, the crowd is so silent you could hear a pin drop, and then it explodes with a visceral fury.

"When did you plan to tell us?"

"Did Ahote know about this before he was taken?"

"Why should we trust any human?"

"It must be a trick!"

You hold up a hand to calm the pack. "Ahote, Haken, and myself all met with an envoy from the outside activists."

Haken growls when you mention him by name but stands silent. Denying the truth of the matter might dig him a deeper hole now that the truth is out.

"We've decided that, at least for now, dealing with the humans is too dangerous. If they're discovered within Haven and questioned by the military, they could learn of our collusion. And that's assuming that the activists are truly on our side. They are, after all, human."

The wolf who asked the question nods, eyes narrowed in thought. A murmur of discussion resonates through the crowd, but for now they seem satisfied with your answer.

Next

The crowd quiets, and aside from a few telltale hushed whispers hidden behind open hands, silence hangs heavy, clinging to you like an unbearable itch. You shift uncomfortably, surprised to see Haken do the same. For several eternal seconds, the stillness reigns over the room, and you wonder what everyone is waiting for.

You see realization unfold on Haken's face at the same time as your own light dawns. You'd both been waiting for someone to commence the vote. But Ahote is gone.

Ahote is gone.