Swiftcurrent Creek No one suspects at all

A flash of something in her gaze—but Akavir didn’t want to read too far into hope just yet. Instead, he held back a wince at the dropped curse word—so uncaring for a girl of only five months old, who had yet to grow into her paws and ears fully. He held back a scowl, considering actually chewing Arric out for it.

But the two were exceptionally close, and who was he to reprimand the man who Mae probably saw more as a father figure than he?


“Outside the creek it is,” he offered in a low rumble, and before he could even finish his sentence, the girl was already forging ahead. If she was going to explore the neutral lands, he would much rather have it be with him or another adult.

He let her remain in the lead, keeping pace as his eyes scanned the horizon. “Anywhere in particular?”