Deric’s POV
I stood on the edge of the clearing, hidden by the trees, watching the glow of Carlton’s campfire flicker in the dark. His men moved like shadows, their voices low murmurs carried on the wind. Ava had stood in business that night callan died, telling me to leave and refusing to tell me what happened and why callan had to die.
I looked around now. Ava was somewhere in that camp.
I could smell her, faint traces of her scent on the breeze, mingled with cigarette smoke. My wolf strained against me, ears pinned, teeth clenched. Every instinct in me wanted to tear through that camp, rip Carlton apart, and carry her away.
But I didn’t move. Because she was the only reason I hadn’t done exactly that.
If I made one wrong move, he’d punish her. And I couldn’t risk that.
I forced myself forward, boots crunching the undergrowth grass as I approached the camp. Two of Carlton’s guards stepped into my path, guns at the ready.
“Easy,” I muttered, raising my hands. “He’s expecting
