I looked at Arjun, who was currently cookie-less (since Clover had half of Silas's). He looked desperate.
"This isn't about geography," I said softly. "This is about us."
The cubs quieted down.
"What is the most important rule of the 'Little Whiskers Daycare'?"
Arjun stood up and saluted. "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"
"No."
Clover raised her hand timidly. "Um... Gentle Paws?"
"That's a good one," I smiled. "But not the most important."
Silas held up his drawing again. It was a picture of the five of them holding hands.
"Friends?" Jasper guessed.
"Close," I said.
Then, Vali swallowed his cookie and burped. "I know. My dad told me."
He looked at me, his pink eyes suddenly serious. The chaotic energy vanished for a second.
"The rule is: Protect the Chef."
The room went quiet.
I froze. Protect the Chef? That wasn't my rule. That was...
"Lord Jaeger told you that?" I asked, my voice quiet.
