Page 198 of Salt Between the Wolves

Soren stared into the darkness beyond the doorway.

"I don't remember."

The answer sounded wrong the moment he said it, and Garrick clearly agreed.

"You should go back."

The words landed like a spark in dry grass.

Soren slowly turned his head.

"What?"

"Ironfang needs its alpha alive."

The pressure behind his eyes tightened instantly.

"Choose your next words carefully."

Garrick met his gaze and, to his credit, did not look away.

"Look at yourself."

That was the wrong thing to say, and both of them knew it.

The mark flared with sudden heat and pain, and for a heartbeat Soren wanted to stand, wanted to hit something, wanted the conversation to end before it went any further.

Instead, he remained exactly where he was, motionless despite the effort it took.

"You think I don't know what I look like?"

The question emerged more quietly than he intended, which somehow made it worse.

Garrick studied him for a moment before letting out a sigh that sounded less frustrated than exhausted.

"That's exactly what worries me."

Silence followed while the storm continued outside and neither man moved.

Eventually Garrick leaned forward.

"There is something else."

Soren already hated where the conversation was going.

"What now?"

"The attack."

The captain rubbed a hand across his beard.

"It wasn't random."

"No."

"It wasn't revenge either."

That finally held Soren's attention. Garrick continued.