Lost Creek Hollow it's the only way for me

“What is there to fear?”

Wake smiled warmly, closed his eyes, breathed deep in her scent.

Oh, darling. There is so, so much to fear.

But no. Not him. Not now.

“I hope you won’t take me for some sort of troublemaker.”

He blinked at her sympathetically. Of course not, he assured her, repeating her twice-used phrase. Hōkūlani went on to further explain her circumstance, and he gave her a look that said: poor girl. I see. I wish that your freedom had come more… freely.

It was a strange dance between one of lies and one of false compassion. Both of them performing as a means to an end.

Why would you ever return? She had said she might, after all was said and done. Do you not prefer your independence? Maybe he controlling father hadn’t been all that bad, or, better yet, maybe she secretly liked being controlled. The winterwolf was determined to find out either way.