Gregor remained impassive, a stone statue absorbing my commands. "The men are growing restless, Shepherd. They sense the shift in the wind. Salvatore's desperation is… contagious. Some question the wisdom of drawing him out."I scoffed, a harsh, dismissive sound. "Let them question. Doubt is a useful tool, a whetstone for sharpening resolve. Remind them of our purpose, Gregor. Remind them that we are the arbiters of order, the silent hand that guides the world from the shadows. Salvatore is a cancer, and we are the surgeons. The operation must be completed.""And if Rossi refuses to take the bait? If he abandons the librarian?" Gregor pressed, a hint of skepticism lacing his tone.I turned, my gaze piercing his. "He won't. Love is a weakness, a vulnerability that we can exploit. But even if he does… it changes nothing. Clara will serve as a message, a testament to our reach, our power. Her death will be a far more effective deterrent than his."I paused, a calculating glint in my eyes. "However… let us not underestimate the librarian. She is not merely a pawn. She has survived this long, hasn't she? She possesses a certain… resilience. Keep a close watch on her, Gregor. She may prove to be more valuable alive than dead."Gregor nodded, acknowledging the shift in strategy. "Understood, Shepherd. I will relay your orders. The men will be reminded of their purpose. Clara will be watched. And Salvatore will be drawn into our web."He turned to leave, his footsteps echoing in the vast room. As he reached the door, I stopped him. "Gregor," I said, my voice softening slightly. "Remind the trackers… no unnecessary brutality. We are not savages. We are professionals. Rossi is to be taken alive, if possible. I wish to have a… conversation with him. Before his end."Gregor bowed his head, acknowledging my command. He disappeared into the shadows, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The rain continued to batter the chalet, a relentless drumming that mirrored the relentless pursuit of the Shadow Wolves. Alessandro Rossi was running out of time. And I, the Shepherd, was waiting to guide him to his final reckoning. The storm was coming, and it would wash away everything in its path.
