15

AMIRA

“How did Victor die?”

“I’m not aware of the details.”

“Do you know when it happened?”

“Three nights ago.”

Eldric sprayed something cold over the burn on my side. The sharp sting eased for a moment as he began wrapping a bandage around my waist.

The second his fingers brushed my bare skin, I shoved his hands away.

He stopped immediately and raised an eyebrow.

“You may do it yourself.”

Relief washed through me. At least he wasn't going to keep asking questions.

Taking the bandage from him, I pressed it against the burn and wrapped it around myself before pulling my shirt back down.

My thoughts spun.

Victor had died the same night he chased me into the woods.

What happened after that?

Had Derrick killed him?

Or was something else responsible?

A knot formed in my stomach.

Would Derrick blame me?

Victor was the second manager from the Silver Fang Tavern to end up dead.

That couldn't look good.

Trying to push those thoughts aside, I studied Eldric's face.

“Did you ever come into the tavern? You look familiar.”

“No. Though you may have met my twin sister. We looked very much alike.”

A memory surfaced instantly.

My eyes closed.

She had been barely alive when Rowan Kingsley dragged her into the Stonehaven Settlement four years ago.

For years, I had assumed she was the reason Derrick came to the settlement and killed my father. Nobody had ever explained what happened.

Part of me had always worried she died without anyone even knowing who she was.

And I had never done anything to change that.

“You remember her.”

His voice remained quiet, though there was no warmth in it.

Opening my eyes, I nodded.

“When she returned, she was wearing clothes that didn't fit her properly. Her injuries had been wrapped in a hurry. I treated her as best as I could, but she died a few days after coming back.”

Wishing he would move farther away, I lowered my gaze to the ground.

Derrick had returned.

I could feel him nearby.

His presence pressed against my senses, but I still couldn't see him.

“I've worked at the Silver Fang Tavern for three years,” I said quietly. “If you wanted answers, you could have come to me.”

“I wasn't ready.”

The words settled between us.

“Did you know her name?”

“Mirelle.”

Eldric went completely still.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I waited for his reaction.

None came.

“He tore her back apart,” I continued. “Dragged her unconscious into the settlement and ordered me to patch her up. That's what he always made me do. Fix them after he was finished with them.”

The memories made my stomach twist.

“I tried my best, but she'd fought him harder than anyone else he ever brought back. She was already close to dying.”

My voice grew quieter.

“There were three children in the settlement. All younger than ten. Rowan kept leaving during the day, and I had no idea where he was going. Mirelle was the best chance I had to get help for those children.”

The memory felt painfully clear.

“We both knew she wasn't likely to survive for long, but she believed she could make it back.”

A slow breath left me.

“When Rowan returned that night, I told him she'd died while trying to escape and another wolf had dragged away her body. He believed me.”

Even now, that part felt strange.

“He never believed anything I said. But that time he did. Looking back, I think he was distracted by something else.”

My gaze drifted toward the fire.

“Two nights later, Derrick arrived.”

Silence followed.

Several long seconds passed before Eldric finally spoke.

“She was too weak to talk when she returned. Derrick followed the trail she left behind.”

My eyes lifted to his.

He deserved honesty.

The full truth.

“I probably could have saved her.”

The words hurt to admit.

“She wouldn't have had a good life. It would have been horrible. But she was strong. Stronger than anyone Rowan ever captured.”

My throat tightened.

“She could have survived.”

A painful ache settled in my chest.

“She could have escaped someday.”

Looking away, I swallowed hard.

“If it weren't for me, she might still be alive.”

Eldric held my gaze.

There was no comfort in his expression.

No kindness.

Only truth.

“I already came to that conclusion.”

The words struck exactly where they were meant to.

“Eldric.”

Derrick's voice came from behind us.

“Thorne needs to speak with you.”

The healer rose without another word and walked away.

Left alone, I watched him go before turning my attention to Derrick.

Carefully.

Warily.

The Alpha lowered himself onto the spot beside me.

“How did it go?” he asked.

“Worried you've made a mistake?”

A bitter laugh almost escaped me.

“I already know everyone here hates me. It isn't surprising that the man responsible for keeping me alive hates me too.”

Derrick's expression hardened.

“I'm the one responsible for keeping you alive.”

His voice carried a sharp edge.

“Tell me how to control the magic, and you can leave right now.”

“It doesn't work that way.”

That was a lie.

Every trap worked differently.

Even if I wanted to explain everything, I couldn't.

“We're stuck with each other.”

For now.

His jaw tightened.

“Tell me why you're risking your life for this.”

The question lingered between us.

For a moment, it almost sounded genuine.

Then his expression changed.

“Your job isn't to ask questions.”

The words came out flat.

Cold.

Instantly, they dragged me back to another time.

Another voice.

Another man.

My entire body flinched before I could stop it.

Derrick noticed.

His eyes narrowed.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

The answer came quickly.

Too quickly.

Forcing myself to look away, I wrapped my arms around myself.

“I understand.”

My voice sounded distant.

“Speak only when spoken to.”

The familiar lesson tasted bitter.

“Don't worry.”

A humorless smile touched my lips.

“I'm very good at that.”

For a long moment, Derrick simply stared at me.

His gaze felt heavy.

Searching.

Trying to understand something.

Neither of us spoke.

Then he stood.

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Alone once more, I sat quietly with my thoughts.

And with the pain that refused to leave.