Irene's POV
The sun bled out behind the pines when I reached the clearing. Gideon was already there, arms crossed, jaw tight.
"He left at dawn," he said before I could speak. "Silverclaw delegation. Some border dispute up North. Won't be back for two days."
Two days.
My pulse kicked hard. "That's the window."
Gideon's eyes narrowed. "You sure about this?"
"I've never been surer of anything." I glanced around, no patrols close enough to hear. "Tonight. I get the keys, I get Dad out, I drive north. Grandmother's old cabin is still off-grid. No scent trails, no pack link. He stays hidden until I clear his name."
Brielle stepped out from the shadows, wringing her hands. "I'm coming with you."
"No." The word snapped out sharper than I meant. "Absolutely not. If this goes south they'll hang you next to me. Stay here, keep your head down, cover for me if anyone asks."
She opened her mouth to argue.
