Contents
Chapter 59
Overview
After witnessing Mako’s fall, Wren is saved when her ridgehowler, Prince, mauls Hawkins. Saint arrives, reveals he’s a persuader, and orchestrates a cover story as a wolf attack.
At Dagger, grief spreads, Gray and Wren reconcile and admit love, and Kallister announces Adrienne Knox’s midnight execution.
Summary
On the bluff, Wren reels as Hawkins’s coercion drives Mako to jump. Hawkins turns his gun on Wren, but a white ridgehowler, Prince, bursts from the brush and savages Hawkins’s throat. Wren retrieves the dropped gun but doesn’t fire. She thanks Prince, who withdraws into the dark.
Wren calls Saint. She recounts overhearing Kallister’s plan to corrupt innocents, Mako’s death, and the attack. Saint decides the safest course is to let the scene read as an animal mauling; telepathic silence will already reveal Hawkins’s status to Kallister. He promises to “plant seeds” with cameras and guards, revealing he’s a persuader who has subtly influenced Wren before.
Back at Dagger, Wren hides in her quarters as news spreads. In a somber common room, personnel grieve Mako. Kallister’s broadcast frames it as a ridgehowler attack and announces a memorial. Through Saint’s link, Wren learns Hawkins survived with a faint pulse and is in a twelve-hour regen; persuasion won’t work on Kallister.
Gray visits Wren. He apologizes for his anger over her parents, tells her he doesn’t blame her, and confesses he loves her. Wren admits she loves him while still holding feelings for Cross; Gray accepts this. She then reveals she nearly killed Hawkins.
Their comms buzz with a base-wide alert: Kallister, now in charge after Order Five, declares Adrienne Knox guilty of treason for Bramble and schedules her execution at midnight, escalating the crisis.
Who Appears
- Wren (Stella Hess)Witnesses Mako’s fall; spared when her ridgehowler kills Hawkins; coordinates cover with Saint; reconciles with Gray; learns of Adrienne’s impending execution.
- SaintArrives at the bluff, reveals he’s a persuader, handles cameras and guards, and frames events as an animal attack.
- Hawkins JostAttempts to execute Wren; mauled by Prince; survives with severe throat injuries and is placed in a regen chamber.
- Gray (Ace)Grieves Mako, apologizes to Wren, declares love, accepts her lingering feelings for Cross, and learns she was involved with Hawkins’s near-death.
- Mako WilsenFalls to his death after Hawkins’s incitement; his loss devastates the base.
- Kallister AshAnnounces memorial; later declares Adrienne Knox guilty of treason and schedules her midnight execution.
- Prince (ridgehowler)Wren’s white ridgehowler; attacks Hawkins, preventing him from killing Wren.
- TanaSends messages reporting the supposed wolf attack and Mako’s death.
- HenleyMourns Mako in the common room, embodying the base’s grief.
- Raven PersimmonsBreaks down confessing she stole Mako’s cake, highlighting guilt and grief.
- BrionHealer summoned to treat Hawkins; not strong enough to repair the damage.
- Adrienne KnoxFormer leader; Kallister declares her guilty of treason and sets a midnight execution.