Page 35 of The Wolf

“Would you have told us about this had we not come up to meet you beforehand?”

Brine shrugged. “You’re here now, aren’t you? So all’s well that ends well.”

“Just so long as itdoesend well,” Tempest cut in, her genuine concern warming Brine’s soul with affection. He inclined his head when she nodded at him. “Be careful, Brine. Don’t get yourself killed.”

Brine said nothing. He knew he couldn’t promise that, even though he wished he could—for his sake and for his friends.

But he had to do this. He had to settle things in Betraz, even if it cost him his life.

SIXTEEN

SCARLET

Scarlet was nearing the edge of the Betraz Manor. She’d spent the last few days returning from Merjeri, all the while mulling over the lies she would have to fabricate to cover up why she didn’t assassinate Lady Merjeri. A shiver ran through her as she walked in the shadow of the immense pine trees. She glanced at the hem of her red cloak that hung out of her bag and clenched her jaw. It wasn’t worth the risk for the warmth it would provide. It made it far too easy for anyone inside the estate to identify her, which was the last thing she needed.

Scarlet shoved the cloak deeper into her bag and pulled the flap over the top to hide it. She had to get back up to her room before anyone spotted her in order to get hold of everything she needed to perform one very important job before she had to face up to her stepmother.

Just in case the lie she told was seen for exactly what it was: a lie.

One always had to be prepared.

On silent feet, Scarlet passed a couple of wolves standing sentry outside the manor’s servants’ entrance. Looking at them reminded her of the other thing that had been consuming her thoughts ever since she fled Merjeri.

The wolf who saw her.

The enemy who chased her down.

Who claimed she was his mate.

The wolf who looked like Bright.

Her stomach clenched.

Brine.

Her childhood crush and only friend at the time.

Bitterness seeped into her soul at the memory.

Logically, Scarlet knew he’d been several years older than she. Enough for him to think of her as a little sister and nothing more. Enough for him to run from the pack and leave her behind with the monsters, without ever looking back.

He never wrote.

He never came home.

That was when she’d stopped believing in heroes.

Swallowing down the past sorrow, she crept along the path in thought, making sure to keep out of the wolves’ sight.

Why had Brine been prowling the corridors of Lady Marianne’s estate in Merjeri? From the little information she’d gathered over the years from Arwen, he was part of the Dark Court. A group of thieves, murderers, and drug suppliers. It made no sense that he’d been in Merjeri. Was he on an assignment? Part of her had wanted to ask, but keeping her mouth shut had been the wisest course. Brine hadn’t recognized her.

That was a blessing in of itself.

Knocking him out and running had been the best choice.

Reaching the kitchen, Scarlet crept into the bushes and tossed a rock as hard as she could, distracting the guards standing outside the servants’ entrance.

She snuck inside and closed the door firmly behind her.

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