Valtira
I tried to convince myself that it was only because he had been too kind to me.
Too patient. Too careful.
Draven had not been this way when I first came here. On that first night, there had been no softness in him, no trace of gentleness that lingered now like an unwanted shadow.
And I could not forget what I had overheard—his words about bringing Zarek down. Not directly, not with his own hands, but by standing beside Jesse. An accomplice was still an accomplice.
“Yes,” I said slowly, forcing my voice to remain steady, “I did want to talk. I thought you might need someone to speak to, and I already explained that. But now, I think I should be focusing on gathering herbs for myself. After that, I need time alone with my wolf.”
I looked away deliberately, refusing to give him
