I nodded once in agreement and told him to double the night watch. The bond tightened in my chest. The twins kicked like they had heard the news too.
Rylan's southern team rode in last, just as the light was failing. They brought back two full sleds of salted meat, fresh-cut pine for repairs, and several heavy bundles of snowberries and medicinal herbs.
Rylan swung down from his horse, snow crusting his cloak, and walked straight to me. He smelled like pine and blood and cold air. He didn't speak at first. He just pulled me against him, careful of the belly between us, and rested his chin on top of my head for a long moment.
"We got what we needed," he said against my hair. "But those eastern bastards are getting bolder. I felt them watching us the whole way back. Three wolves. No colors. Moving like they own the ridges."
