slammed against the cold stone wall of the packhouse. The impact sent a jolt of pain through her sp

esh but finding no weakness in the iron grip. The pressure wasn't enough to cut off her

ned in the dim

neath his expression was unmistakable. His body radiated

d coldly, his voice devoid of wa

heartbeat pounded in her ears, but she forced herself to ignore it, to focus.

for her to crack. Waiting

hesitated for even a momen

ng in her throat and met Kael's

oice raw from the pressure agai

fore relaxing again. Not enough to choke,

believe that?" His tone was laced with suspicion, sharp enough to cut. "

r into his wrist. A si

truggled for breath, but refused to let her voice waver. "Now, are you going to w

didn't like being challenged. Es

es pressed down on him ju

eak, rattling breath. His life was sl

rowl, Kael released h

ubbed her sore neck, but she didn't wast

d precision. Blood had soaked through his tunic, pooling beneath him, the scent thick

od loss. Too

beneath her hands. The wound was wide, but it hadn't hit anything im

against the wound. "I need hot water, clean cloth, and any heal

trust thick in the air. Their eyes flick

moment longer before he gave

ith urgency. Within moments, supplies were thrust into her hands-

her hands moving with

ing the wound. Blood mixed with water, staining her hands red. She ignored th

ching, feel the heavy

etched into

witching in pain as she stitched the torn flesh with st

breathing heavy with exhaustion. She sat back on her

ve," she

looked relieved, others uncertain, their expression

ze scanning the unconscious warr

his?" he asked, his voice qu

d dress, smearing blood against t

se I h

searching hers as if he could pr

idn't

pack." His voice carried across the courtyard, reachin

ity in his words sent a c

nce, a begrudging allowance to sta

th

as dan

ng wolves, his presence comman

on, you will ser

A stunned, bre

wary, others visibly displeased. The weight of the

, forcing her expressi

ded in getting

as trapped in