Zack approached him. "What did he say?"

Shadow looked at him with worry. "What I was hoping he wouldn't say..."

Zack sighed. "I will definitely take your word and not trust Hunter.....after all, he WAS involved in killing the royals."

Shadow folded his arms. "You THINK?" He retorted. Zack furrowed his brows at him.

Shadow then sighed. "I'm sorry...this isn't on you."

Zack nodded. "What do we need to do to fix this? I don't think we should even let him be here."

Shadow looked into the cave. "I'll stand guard."

"Wait, wait, wait.." Zack interrupted. "Why can't you just kick him out? Youre in charge after all."

Shadow winced. "I'm not fair on anyone though.." he then looks at Zack. "I think it's best I lay low for a while."

Zack scoffed. "Max isn't ready for leadership yet, but you've had the experience; and look, I don't care if you're not kind to us....well, maybe I do, but I prefer you as a leader. You've got the skills to do it, I'd rather follow you instead."

Shadow looked away from him, then back. "You've got to see Max as a leader too. I believe in him."

Zack sighed. "I think you should at least guide him....until you do, I'm sticking with your order. So, youd rather have Max make the decision to keep him, what would you want me to do?"

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Shadow thought about this for a moment as he gazed into the thick of the trees. He then turned back to him. "Stand guard with me."

Zack nodded, and looked at him with seriousness. "Other form?"

Shadow nodded. "I'll do the same..."

"What about your necromancy?" Zack asked.

Shadow tsked. "After me nearly killing Max with my crows? I think it's best I take a break from my magic....I'll stick with the...." He sighed heavily. "The black wolf. Deal?"

Zack nodded in agreement. "How long as beasts? What's the time frame?"

Shadow shook his head. "I don't know for sure...." He looks at Zack. "Whenever Hunter's around, I guess?"

Zack smiled from the corner of his mouth. "You REALLY don't trust him, do you?"

"No I don't."

Zack chuckled. "I can't believe Max is doing this..." Shadow tsked.

"It's got to be for a void to be filled. He wouldn't have let him in, had Matthew decided to hold himself together. Wished they would've gotten along better."

Zack shrugged. "Eh, Max had always harassed him, not as much as he did in the beginning. He was way worse back then."

Shadow tilted his head. "How bad?"

"Bully."

Shadow chuckled. "And then he gets bullied by me."

Zack shook his head. "Don't feel too bad about that...you're different now than you were before."

Shadow smiled. "Thanks. It's definitely something I'm not proud of...never was."

"You live and you learn."

Suddenly, Rose steps out of the entrance. "Who is HE? The one that Max sent in?"

"His name is Hunter." Shadow answered her. "Mica mentioned him. He took part in the assassination."

Rose groaned. "Why did he let him in?"

"No clue." Zack said.

"What we need to do in this case, at least for now, watch our backs." Shadow declared, then looked at Zack. "At least until I can be able to guide him."

Rose nodded. "Supper's almost ready."

"Anything you need, sister?"

Rose gave this a thought. "How about food for the morning?" Like a...grouse or something. A fox, whatever."

Shadow nodded, then turned to Zack. The other blond nodded as well. "You going to be fine, Rose?"

"Of course, you guys go ahead."