“And how do we know you’re not working with him?”
“Because he just tried to kill me for siding with the wolves over him,” I snapped back, and she glared before turning away, but I had seen the surprise in her eyes before she did. And felt the pang of respect.
“We need to get back to the city. Alert the council of what happened,” she said.
“I’ve called a meeting,” Derik replied, then looked at me, kissing my forehead.
“Are you hurt? Can you still ride back?” he asked, checking me over, sniffing. He paused, touching the back of my head with surprisingly gentle fingers. I still winced at the ache from the cut.
“It’s fine. I can ride,” I said, and I hoped he got my double meaning because after the day I’d had, I wanted a little relief from thinking.
He smirked, then stepped back to
