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A mistake, because that was how he caught up to me.

“Fenli, wait,” I heard him say.

I turned to find Thaas jogging up the narrow path, surprising me for the second time in so short a span. He came to a halt in front of me, his easy grin crooked across his face, and when I took two steps back, his one closed the space I’d made. He winked again.

Was there something wrong with his eye? A chronic twitch I should be made aware of before I unjustly wrote him off as the most ego-ridden dirt-bag to walk through Rynwin’s green earth?

Relax, I told myself again.You’re probably wrong.

We were on the backside of a smaller hut and to my left was the fence that kept in the sheep at night. It was just the two of us, and I wondered if he could see how uncomfortable it was making me. He showed no discomfort himself and leaned in when he said, “I’ve been trying to catch you alone.”

Not words I’d ever wanted to hear.

“Why?” The question slipped out before I’d thought better of it.

He turned to glance over his shoulder, then took another step toward me, closing the already too-small space between us. I didn’t move—couldn’t—and my heart picked up in my chest.

“I wanted to let you know I see you. I know about how you ran away, and how Roan hauled you out here, and I know you don’t want to be married to him.”

When his hand rose to my arm, fingers dragging lines up and down my sleeve, my insides clenched, every part of me drawing in, wanting toshrink away.

“I just think maybe there could be another way. Your marriage hasn’t been sealed—in the natural sense—” he clarified, “and Roan isn’t the only one who could help you out of your mess.”

Your mess.

Those were the words that jolted the sense back into me. I jerked away from his touch.

He laughed. “Sweetie, you have options. I’m on track to become a wolf hunter and an elder, same as Roan. I could give you the security you need in this clan. I could give you everything.”

“Leave me alone,” I whispered, taking a step back.

“You can’t possibly want to stay married to the clod you’re stuck with. Let me help you.” He took another step closer and lifted his hand to my cheek, holding the side of my face. “You’re beautiful, you know that? I’d make you a true member of this clan in no time.”

I slapped him across the cheek.

“What the hell—” he said, but I turned and fled, not waiting to find out what his next words would be.

With my palm stinging and my legs shaking, I rushed down the fence line, between buildings, and to the front stoop of the hut with the blue-green door. Once inside, I bolted the lock. Alone, I couldn’t help the tears that cut paths down my cheeks.

“Shit,” I whispered. “Shit.”

I pulled a chair out from the table and sat, trying to slow my breath, wondering where I’d gone wrong, if I’d done something—anything—to make Thaas think I’d say yes. He was a fool, I decided. It was the only explanation.

So why did I feel guilty?

There was a knock at the door, and I flinched, my fingers wrapping around the seat of my chair. I didn’t dare say a word. I waited, breathless.

When Rahv’s voice came from the other side, I exhaled.

“Fenli, it’s me. I saw you come in. I want to ask you something.”

Standing, I wiped the tears from my cheeks, blinking hard.

“Jus—just a moment.”

I shook out my hands, cleared my throat, and tried to pull myself together. After a few breaths, I drug the bolt back. The sky at dusk would help to hide my recent cry, I hoped. I opened the door.

“Been a while since I’ve seen you,” she said, “now that you’ve no need to make stops by my hut.” Her face was tight, and she looked over my shoulder at the space behind me.