The scouts came back at midday with the kind of news that made my wolf pace restlessly under my skin.

"Movement," Marcus reported, still breathing hard from the run. "South border, east border, and near the old quarry. Different groups, but all moving with purpose."

"How many?" Darius asked before I could.

"Hard to say. They're staying just outside clear sight range. Could be three groups of five, could be one group of fifteen circling." Marcus wiped sweat from his forehead. "They're good at ...