No one moved. The hollow felt tight, as if the trees had inched closer.
Shannon kept his voice even. "We did not leave you. We found blood, torn earth, and signs of a struggle. We searched for days."
"Days? Not enough days," Aiden said. "Not in the right direction. But you… you searched for this human for two long years."
Bran stepped forward. "Aiden, who took you?"
"Humans," Aiden said. "Not simple hunters, but paid men. They knew what we were and how to break us. They kept me alive long enough to learn I was worth more to them than to you."
Bran flinched. "That is not true."
"It felt true," Aiden replied. "Then it became useful."
Shannon did not look away. "Why target Tristan?"
"To measure you," Aiden said. "If you protect him, I see how far you will go. If you abandon him, I learn what matters to you."
"You could have sent a message," Shannon said.
"I did," Aiden answered. "You found it on your border."
