Of course.
“That’s me,” he said smoothly. “Try not to look too impressed.”
She sighed in frustration before rushing to Alaric, wrapping her arms around him. Yes, she was still angry and likely would never see him the same way again, but he was still her friend. And she still cared.
“Tonight is the moon ritual,” Holden interrupted. “You can stay another night, but come dawn, the Ironwolf pack will be gone. You’ll be on your own.”
Ironwolf. The name sounded powerful, a pack she would never want to fight against. Evelyne couldn’t help but wonder why Holden was issuing commands while his alpha was present. Perhaps he held the position of beta or second-in-command. She couldn’t picture Kaldrek, this arrogant brute, allowing others to make decisions.
“Moon ritual?” Alaric asked. He had changed into new clothes as well—sturdy leathers that looked similar to Holden’s, though noticeably less battle-worn.
“It’s a full moon tonight. Our time to shift as one, to run with the alpha and elders. A way to display our strength and unity as a pack.” Holden’s mouth spread into a wide grin as he added, “And, of course, a good excuse to drink, dance, and enjoy the company of our women.” He threw Evelyne a wink.
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The last thing she wanted was to spend another night stuck here, but slipping away into the dark? That would be as good as signing her death warrant.
“Why should we believe you’ll let us stay another night unharmed?” Alaric asked.
Holden scoffed. “We’ve had plenty of chances to gut you, human. Didn’t take them, did we?”
The alpha gave a simple nod. “You already have a tent, and the pack leaves at first light. There’s no reason to send you off when nightfall is only hours away. The choice is yours.”
Oh, now they had a choice? Evelyne folded her arms and lifted her chin. “And what if we decide to kill you now that we’re not at your mercy?”
Kaldrek huffed a short laugh, shaking his head before turning and stepping out of the tent without a word.
Evelyne’s jaw tightened. She could have smacked him for brushing her off so quickly.
Holden stared at her, mouth slightly open. “He’s not someone you want to cross. Push him the wrong way, and you won’t live to regret it.” Despite the words, amusement flickered in his eyes. With that same smug arrogance, he added, “You wouldn’t even leave a scratch on us.”
Evelyne’s face burned with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. But he was right. There was no way she or Alaric could actually hurt the shifters. They’d both be dead before they even had a chance to try.
Holden turned to leave, but paused at the tent’s entrance. “Oh, and I’d cover those pretty eyes of yours tonight, little viper,” he mused. “You’re about to see a lot more men shift, and you know where our clothes end up.” He smiled wickedly before leaving them alone.
Evelyne let out a long breath and looked over at Alaric. “Are you okay?”
He sank onto her cot and slowly shook his head. She knew it wasn’t from pain, but from disbelief. Everything that had unfolded over the past week, and what had happened to Reuben, was simply too much to process.
“I’m fine,” he murmured, but she didn’t miss the deep sorrow in his eyes. “Did they hurt you?”
She sat beside him. “They didn’t lay a hand on me—aside from Kaldrek, of course, with his daily ritual of searching my eyes.”
Silence stretched between them. And then, as if something inside him finally cracked, Alaric spoke, everything spilling from his lips in a rush.
“I’m so sorry, Evelyne. For everything. For keeping the truth from you, for kissing Callista, for humiliating you.” Tears welled in his eyes as he reached for her hand. She didn’t pull away, though part of her wanted to. “Please know my feelings for you were real.Arereal. I never meant to hurt you. And I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep us safe.”
She sighed, her heart aching at his sincerity. “There was nothing you could have done to stop us from being hunted down by a pack of wolves.” Her voice softened as she shook her head. “And I know you didn’t mean to hurt me. I wish none of this had ever happened. And I want to forgive you for lying to me… I really do.”
But she couldn’t. Not yet.
“You’re still my friend,” she continued. “And I understand you were put in an impossible position. But friends don’t keep secrets like that, Alaric. Not ones that toy with someone’s deepest emotions.”
She had meant every word. That day in his study, when he kissed her, she’d trusted him completely—felt as if she could give him every piece ofherself. But now, something was fractured. And she wasn’t sure it could ever be made whole again.
Alaric lowered his head, shoulders sagging. “I’m sorry,” he repeated.
She nodded and let out a long exhale before changing the subject. “I haven’t seen anything on the map since the night we were captured. I’ve checked it every time I’ve been alone.”
Alaric’s head snapped up. “They didn’t take it from you?”
