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“I think they all were at fault. And the ones that started the war are all dead and gone now and we should all move on.”

She pats my thigh. “I like your stance.”

All my life, I was taught to never care about anything outside of me. Being who I am requires I have no ties that could be used against me. It’s the first lesson they taught at the academy. However, the moment I held Zidora, she stole my heart. I didn’t think I could love anything at that time. But looking down at that bright-eyed baby proved me wrong.

Proof shows that the first lesson was pertinent because my father definitely used Marley against me. However, I wouldn’t trade her for the world. Yes, my biggest weakness is an emotional teenager.

“Now that the history lesson is out of the way, let's talk rules.”

Marley rolls her eyes and groans. I ignore her protest.

“Most important rule, you do not go anywhere without me.”

“I know.”

“Also, no mention of our lineage. For all I care, they can think we are human-turned.”

Marley makes a face at that. No pure blood ever wants to be mistaken for a human turned.

“And just because we aren’t back home doesn’t mean we get to slack on lessons. We rest tonight, but tomorrow we are back at it.”

“I’m never going to be as good of a fighter as you. I don’t know why you’re training me.” She crosses her arms over her chest and sulks.

Lifting her chin with my finger, I turn her head to look at me.

“You’re not training to be me. You are training because one day I won’t be here to protect you, and I need to know you can protect yourself.”

Her gaze narrows. “What do you mean, you won’t be here? You’ll always be here.”

Her youth and innocence are what I love about her the most. If I could have it my way, she would always be this naïve girl untouched by the cruelty of the world. I know it won’t stay that way forever, but at least I can keep her sheltered for now.

“You’re right, I’ll be here. But I might not be available.”

My answer seems to relax her.

“You also need to keep that block up at all times when we are outside of these four walls.”

She nods her head in understanding. Suddenly, her face falls and a serious expression takes over.

“Do you really think we will be safe here from…”

I cut my eyes at her in warning. She cannot say that name out loud here.

I seriously doubt these wolves would know of my ex, but I don’t want them to start asking questions.

She rolls her eyes. “Myfiancé,” she says, using air quotes.

“For now, we are safe from him. He has no idea where we are. Which gives me time to come up with a plan. All I need is time.”

If I tell myself that enough, I may start to believe it. In reality, I have no clue what I’m going to do. I just know that I can’t allow Markis to get his hands on the information I have. If he shows up here, these wolves will be no match for him. However, I pray it doesn’t come to that.

“What will we do about food?”

Chayton didn’t make it easy for us when he said we can’t feed off the townspeople. But those are his rules, and we have to follow them.

“I’ll haunt when I get a chance, but until then you have to supplement with deer.”

Marley grimaces. I don’t blame her. Feeding off animals is like eating nothing but vegetables. It will get the job done, but you need protein to survive.