Page 61 of The Girl in the Forest

“They prefer the dignity in freedom.” Grayson kept his voice low. “Don’t insult their lifestyle because it doesn’t come up to your standards.”

I drew back, frustrated that he’d misunderstood. “I wasn’t saying they had no dignity.”

“Maybe you didn’t say it, but they’ll still feel it.”

“Why can’t you offer protection? Food or supplies?” I argued. “You can’t let them live like this.”

He turned his head and looked at me. “It’s not my pack, Noa. We’ve extended an invitation, but they know what happens when a Sentinel Falls alpha adopts Alpen wolves. They’d rather stand and fight the battle their own way.”

I couldn’t let my irritation go. “Maybe I could help them.”

“And do what?” Grayson challenged. “Storm the Mule and face off with Lec Rus? I’d give your chances of surviving a zero.”

“I would still try,” I hissed. “There’s no life in being afraid.”

My lips barely moved, but he heard me and stroked a warm hand down my back.

I turned to flash a look at him, and he grinned. “I love the way you fight with me.”

He threw me off balance with that compliment, and I snapped, “Did you love it when I burned the forest down?”

“Even more when you burn forests down.”

My steps faltered.

He leaned in and whispered, “I love the anger sparkling in your eyes, and these two red spots…” His finger brushed, feather-light against my cheek. “I love how you fight me as an equal, Noa. As a woman who doesn’t understand her strength. You look at my light and dark and you’re not afraid.”

Sincerity deepened his voice to rough velvet. The same sincerity I remembered hearing in his voice the night he healed me from worm poison, when he’d told me he was sorry. That I’d be all right.

My breathing quickened. I wanted to tell him everything, but it was impossible to talk with so many rebels listening. Time held new importance, and I worried over this delay. Over details that were already fading from my mind, along with the ability to sort through what had happened.

Then I worried about the third witch hiding in that cave. Rubbed at the goose bumps rising on my arms. The squirming sensations in the moonstone runes.

Two women walked toward the cooking pots, uneasy but determined; they nodded as we passed. A child laughed, and a dog barked, breaking the tension.

Our escort separated off in different directions until we were down to the bird girl and her father. She signed something to him, swiftly emphatic. He nodded. She skipped ahead. We followed, slogging through a muddy patch toward another battered house. A man stood outside. I decided he was an elder, judging from his posture, not the clothes, which were what I’d expect from someone who worked and survived in the forests, dark colors, sturdy and warm. He stood with his arms crossed, staring at Grayson—who waited, relaxed. Something silent passed between them. An evaluation, perhaps. Awaiting judgment and a decision.

After a moment, the man offered a subtle chin tip, honoring an alpha who had not yet identified himself. One who had not stormed in demanding respect—but had offered respect without conditions.

“Name’s Jodan,” the elder said before motioning us inside. Grayson touched my back, urged me up the wooden steps. When we stepped through the doorway, Jodan was clearing a place for us to sit, moving chairs closer to the fire and toeing a sleepy, gray-muzzled black dog away from the warmth. “Move, Burn.”

The dog unwound his long legs and stood unsteadily, ambling closer to me once he caught the scent. Shoved a cold, curious nose into my extended palm. I smiled, and asked, “You call him Burn?”

“Easier than burden, as that’s what he is,” Jodan muttered, but there was love beneath the gruff. “And you’ll be?”

“Friends,” Grayson said.

“Aye, that’s what the mark on her wrist says.” The old man’s eyes were clear, blue, and narrowed. “That probably makes your name closer to some color.”

Gray.

Grayson nodded.

Jodan grunted. “Best we keep it that way.”

CHAPTER 16

Noa

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