Swiftcurrent Creek blank open eyes watch the moonflower bloom

The distinct description was exactly as he remembered—after all, there weren’t many dark wolves with red eyes and a heavy accent.

“The man is like a cockroach,” he snorted, more to Arric than the girl. You just couldn’t get rid of him. They had suspected the red-eyed man had survived—but damn if Akavir had hoped somewhere along the way he would have succumbed to his wounds.

He shifted, pale eyes drifting over her abdomen without attempting to hide it. She showed no signs of pregnancy—that didn’t mean she wasn’t pregnant. She drew herself up—full height, stirring his hackles to bristle and a low growl to begin in his throat.

“If you’re looking to escape him, sorry to tell you, but we expect he’ll likely wind up here again someday. Doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who takes defeat nobly.” He paused, gaze snapping back to her features—noting now the way she trembled and realizing now that her posturing had perhaps been one of fear—two males staring down what could be a formidable fighter… but also one who was travel worn. “Tell me everything. His name. What he is to you. What he said.”

Because it was hard to take anyone’s word as truth these days.