One of Doolittle’s nurses told me that Ascanio’s mother was with him. They probably needed some private time, so I went into the observation hallway instead. Dim and narrow, it ran along the individual patient rooms, offering a one-way window into each. Sean, a nurse in training, nodded to me from his perch on a pillow in the corner. An intensive care unit for shapeshifters meant patients who could go loup at any minute. The rooms were reinforced and someone was keeping an eye on them 24/7 until the danger passed.

Ascanio lay under the sheets. His color was almost back to normal. His mother sat by his bed reading him a book. He said something. Judging by his grin, he thought he was funny. His mother sighed.

The door opened and Robert joined me.

“He’s recovering,” the alpha rat said.

“Yes.”

Robert glanced at Sean. “Would you mind giving us a minute?”

Sean rose and left the room.

“I spoke to my husband,” Robert said.

“This sounds ominous.”

“I like you a great deal,” he said. “He respects and values my opinion of you.”

“But?” There was always a “but” attached.

Robert looked at the ceiling for a long moment. “I’m trying to find the right way to say this.”

“Go ahead, I’ve braced myself.”

“If Curran’s death is confirmed, the question of your retaining leadership will arise. There may be a no-confidence vote.”

Well, that didn’t take long. “Have you heard something?”

“Yes.”

That came out of nowhere. I guess I’d been too complacent and this was my wake-up call. I had no plans to lead the Pack without Curran, but it still stung. I had fought hard for them, and I thought I’d earned the Pack’s respect. What else did they need from me?

Robert frowned. “I might be asked about my experience during last night. I plan to answer truthfully. I realize it’s not the best timing, but I don’t want you to feel stabbed in the back.”

“Was there something wrong with my conduct last night?”

Robert met my gaze. “People like to assign their leaders noble qualities. Generosity, kindness, selflessness. The hard truth of it is, the best leaders are ruthless. Curran is ruthless. As long as there is a chance of him being alive, we will support you. We like you as a pair. You balance each other out.”

“So you don’t think I’m ruthless enough?”

Robert nodded at Ascanio. “I like the boy. He’s smart and brave. Funny. But when Hugh was playing with his life, I would’ve let him die.”

I turned to him.