Chapter 6. The Price

June's POV

"Seven days," Ronan said.

I blinked.

"That's the price." His voice was rough, but steady now. "You stay seven days. Under sanctuary, by the custom of the Allied Packs. Under guard. You answer every question I ask about Ashgrove, about Bram, about the ghosts. If you lie to me once, you go to the ford."

"And at the end of seven days?"

"Then I decide."

Garrick's head snapped toward him. "Ronan. An hour ago you told the Ashgrove driver—"

"I know what I told him."

"A sanctuary oath goes into the Council record," Garrick said. "Her name, our seal, where she's sheltered. Bram reads it in three days. Every Alpha on the Council knows Thornfall is keeping the girl they convicted."

"I know."

"Then why?"

Ronan didn't look at him. He looked at me.

"Because Maren