He nodded, staring at me with new respect. “You’re right.” He swallowed hard. “I underestimated her.”
I rolled my eyes. “Everyone does.” I pointed a finger at him. “But I’m more interested in why you’re still talking to the hunters. You don’t have anything they want.”
A flash of regret crossed his face and adrenaline surged through me. “She’ll kill me, I know that.” I tensed, prepared to shift but he was faster, the dart silent as it hit me and I crumpled slowly. He walked up to me, but I couldn’t move. “I’m sorry, Dru. I am.” He shook his head. “They don’t pay if you don’t show up with the goods,” he explained, patting my hand. I could feel his touch but couldn’t react and rage splintered through me. “Margaret says the boy needs medicine. Medicine that cost money. Selling wolf shifters is the only way to make money.” I wanted to argue, but speech was impossible, and all I could manage was a grunt and he closed his eyes. “At least you can rest easy knowing your Gran will kill me for what I am about to do.”
I wasn’t about to rest easy knowing he was selling me to hunters completely helpless, not when I was regretting not killing him myself. I tried to move my limbs to no avail, wiggling my fingers was impossible and I wanted to scream in frustrated rage, but I couldn’t do that either! He hooked his arms under my shoulders and started to drag me, my butt bumping over every root. I heard him panting in exertion and wanted to yell at him that I didn’t weigh that much.
Dru? Paige’s sleepy voice broke through my internal ranting and I didn’t hesitate.
Go back to sleep.
Where are you?
Patrolling, I lied, wincing internally when a broken branch caught on my leg, slicing the skin open.
You’re lying.
No, I’m not.
Yes, you are.
Go back to sleep, I ordered in exasperation.
What are you hiding? She asked instead, her voice more alert.
Nothing. I swear. I just needed to clear my head. I wasn’t lying about the clearing my head part and she must have sensed the honesty because she let it go.
I thought you were in trouble. I was dreaming and you were shouting, she sounded puzzled and I had to calm my heartbeat so I didn’t tip her off that everything wasn’t alright.
It was just a dream, I assured her.
Okay, she replied, accepting my answer and I ignored the guilt that formed. I love you.
I love you, too, I said automatically, hoping it wouldn’t be the last time I had a chance to tell her. I’ll see you soon.
I glared at Strickland since it was about the only thing I could do but he astutely avoided my gaze. This went on for a while, my butt bruised and battered from being dragged, when he stopped to wipe the sweat off his face. He came around, his face flushed and looked at me for the first time. I tried to convey every ounce of the emotions I couldn’t express through my eyes and he nodded, glancing away.
“I don’t blame you.” Fury flashed through me, but he wasn’t through. “I’m not proud of this, but I have to take care of my own. If your Gran had just taken care of you when you were born…..well none of this would be necessary.” My blue eye started to glow and he stepped back warily. “Look, what I gave you will wear off in about two hours. They don’t know that.” He must have read the question in my eyes because he looked away. “I know what you’ve done for the village. Your hunting has been the difference between life and death for most. They might not know it, but I do.” Some of my anger drained away. “If it wasn’t for my grandson, I wouldn’t do this.” I could see the sincerity in his eyes and had to look away. I understood exactly how far a person would go for someone they loved. “I can die in peace,” he continued and a niggle of regret worked its way through me, dissolving the last of my anger, but there was nothing I could do to change his outcome. He’d made his choice and now I had to make my own.
He backed away slowly, leaving me lying there paralyzed, but now I knew I had a fighting chance. I just needed to bide my time.
Chapter Fourteen
Caleb
I planted my feet on the ground, my back cracking as I stretched, unused to sleeping in an actual bed. I patted the soft mattress, unable to stop myself from imagining Dru sprawled across it. I squeezed my eyes shut, pinching the bridge of my nose, but it did nothing to wipe the image from my mind, my memory bringing every detail of her body into focus, including the scent of her. My eyes popped open to make sure she wasn’t actually there, but only wrinkled sheets met my gaze and I shoved myself off the bed, my body uncomfortably tight.