Blackfeather Woods It's not like you're unpredictable

"I" misunderstood Wildfire's broader questions, though the red she-wolf didn't bother pointing this out or repeating herself yet again. It occurred to her that no answer would make sense or satisfy her. These wolves, whoever they were, were keeping her as some sort of plaything. They were obviously sociopaths, so trying to reason or bargain with them wasn't going to do any good.

Something else "I" said triggered another response from Wildfire though. "I won't be eating any more food you provide me. I know that's how you must be—poisoning me, or whatever you're doing." Of course, that meant she was choosing the lesser evil. She wouldn't be poisoned, yet she also wouldn't get to eat, and that would sap her strength and make escape all the more unlikely.

They still hadn't left and Wildfire began to fidget restlessly as they stood in the mouth of the cave. It was difficult to resist the urge to run. Instead, she forcefully tore her gaze away from that wide open view and looked directly at "I." "What about a ransom? My mate will find out what's happened to me, eventually, and you'll have a war on your heads. If you reach out first, maybe we could arrange an exchange. Is there anything your pack wants—aside from 'playthings'?"