For a mont, I just stared at Soren.
This ti, I wasn’t captivated by his gaze. I stared at him because I didn’t understand why he was asking that. I had gotten the feeling when I left his inn that he was in so way relieved to see go.
He had said I was welco to stay and even co back if I needed to. But still, there hadn’t been any great effort put into convincing to change my mind.
Now he was asking who I was. It seed strange since I wasn’t sure what more he expected to learn from .
“Didn’t you already investigate ?” I asked, putting my hands on my hips.
I hadn’t let him know that I’d been eavesdropping before. It was sothing I was holding onto for a ti when I thought it would be beneficial.
This seed like the right ti. I wanted Soren to be shocked that I knew he’d been digging into my past.
For a mont Soren’s jaw tensed and he narrowed his eyes minutely. He recovered quickly and gave a lazy smile.
“I have a feeling the details will be more interesting coming from you.” Soren chuckled and slightly arched an eyebrow. He gave an expectant look.
Was he not going to admit to investigating ? He hadn’t known I was eavesdropping. Was this his way of denying it without lying?
He didn’t deny investigating but he didn’t exactly admit it either.
“I don’t know what else I can tell you,” I muttered, shrugging.
“Whatever you want to,” he urged.
We started walking again and I recognized the path ahead. Soon, we’d be back in the village.
I shrugged and kept my eyes down. From what I’d heard when Soren and Payne were talking, he’d done a pretty thorough check into my background and even Saboreef pack traditions.
What was the harm in telling him what he already knew? Maybe, it would keep him from asking more questions if I told him my side of things. It wasn’t like I had to tell him things he didn’t already know.
“From what I understand, you already figured out most of it. I was an orphan, adopted by a greedy foster mother that didn’t have my best interests at heart. When Alpha Chandler wanted to buy all the young won from Saboreef, I saw that as my way out of that disgusting shithole,” I said snippily.
“The Trial of Black Fire,” Soren muttered.
I nodded. “I was an oga and the Trial was the only way out for . It was the only way I could permanently sever all ties, even if that ant death. I was willing to take my chances.”
I glanced at Soren. He had a slight frown on his lips. It confused . I thought that Soren would understand going to extre lengths. He was a rogue and I imagined that he had to, a lot.
“You asked them to poison you,” he stated.
“Like I said, I wanted to get out and that was the only way. Not all pack traditions are sweet and fluffy,” I said calmly.
“Hmm.” Soren flashed a thoughtful look and nodded for to continue.
“It is so rare for anyone to survive the Trial that after I was poisoned, I was dumped in a deserted building. They left there, assuming I would die. I no longer have ties to them, based on the pack tradition with the Trial,” I added firmly.
We walked a few more steps in silence.
Sighing, I wrapped up my story.
“Most of them think I’m dead, which is why they never ca after . I don’t know how all these goons coming after found out... at least I have no reason to return to Saboreef,” I said.
“It is odd that your own pack thinks you’re dead but there are others from all over coming after you,” Soren agreed. It seed like he was just as confused about it as I was.
That was the one thing that hadn’t made sense to before. If Saboreef reported that I was dead by poisoning to Alpha Chandler, why would he still send people after ?
I knew it wasn’t anything Soren hadn’t already figured out. When I’d listened to Soren and Payne talk about , Soren had said he wondered why the pack abandoned or sent off on my own while I was still struggling with the poison. It was because they never expected anyone to survive.
I couldn’t tell him more than that.
“That does sound like an ordeal,” he said with a nod.
I pursed my lips, waiting for him to ask more questions.
He didn’t have any. Not that I was complaining.
We were back in the Miltern village. Everyone was still wandering around unhappily with blank stares on their faces.
I couldn’t help looking around and wondering again what was wrong with these poor people. This wasn’t normal and it was no way to live!
“Where will you be staying?” Soren asked, breaking into my thoughts.
I hadn’t thought that far ahead. When I first arrived in Miltern, I hadn’t looked for an inn or hotel. I’d been a little preoccupied with the guys chasing !
There was no way I was going to admit that to Soren. I didn’t want or need his help. Besides, I didn’t want him to know exactly where I was. It felt creepy.
“Now that we’re safe in town, it would probably be fine if we split up. I don’t need you keeping track of ,” I insisted.
“Well, I’m going to keep track of you. You’re still in danger, whether you think it or not. These people... they aren’t going to help you,” he said, motioning to the Miltern people wandering about aimlessly.
“I can take care of myself. In the village, I can evade anyone that cos after ,” I explained. I’d done it before and was confident I could do it again.
“Perhaps. However, you have been nothing but trouble for and I know you’re not being honest about everything. I’d like to keep an eye on you for now,” he said firmly.
“Ugh! If I’m so much trouble, what the hell do you want!?” I snapped, throwing my arms out.
“I don’t want much, but I do want to know what you’re up to,” he said, as if that was the simplest, easiest request in the world. “Now, if you comply, I won’t have to send soone to spy on you.”
A shiver ran down my spine. I already knew Soren had the resources and manpower to spy on and I’d never even know they were there. That unnerved .
“You’re spying on now?” I challenged. “First you investigate , now you’re going to spy on ?”
“I wouldn’t have to do either if you were honest with ,” Soren pointed out.
I sighed and tilted my head back. I counted several stars in the sky, keeping myself calm and collected.
“So, you have two options. Either co with or tell where you’re staying. In the end, it will save us both trouble,” he said.
His ultimatum sounded like an accusation and a threat all in one.
He narrowed his eyes at as I mulled over my options. Whatever I chose, I’d be stuck with Soren.
I didn’t understand why he cared so much. He obviously didn’t like being bothered and I had been troubleso for him. So, why did he care?
It felt less like I was a bother to him and more like he wanted to protect .
That was just ridiculous, though! Soren didn’t want to protect , did he?
Sighing, I shrugged. “Okay, so I don’t actually have anywhere to go.”
“I thought so.” Soren smirked at .
“Just because I don’t doesn’t an I’m incapable,” I argued.
“Of course not,” he patronized.
I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “Alright, oh wise one, what do you have in mind, then?” I countered.
“There’s a hotel here that I keep a couple of rooms at. They are fully paid for and very secure. You’re more than welco to one of the rooms,” he offered, motioning down the street to a tall hotel.
I looked down the street and then back at his outstretched arm.
What choice did I have? I was a stranger in Miltern and didn’t know where the hotels were. Not to ntion, with how braindead everyone seed, would I even be able to book a room?
No one wanted to talk to and they mostly looked right through .
“Alright, lead the way,” I sighed. There really wasn’t another option.
Soren gave a triumphant smile and beckoned with his hand.
We walked to the center of town and ca to the hotel.
It was the tallest building I could see and the exterior was gorgeous. There were intricately carved statues carved right into the stone exterior. All the windows had red curtains over them.
When we went into the lobby, Soren walked right past the man at the front desk. He barely even looked at us as we went through the lobby.
The marble floor was carpeted with a silk rug and there were so lovely paintings on the walls.
It looked beautiful and was clearly a high-class hotel.
For so reason, I thought about how much more I liked Soren’s inn than this one. Even though the building itself wasn’t as nice as this, he had so interesting and unique decorations and furniture.
It was the atmosphere of the inn that I liked. There was such a hoy, brotherly vibe with everyone there. It was friendly, warm, and welcoming.
As nice as this hotel looked, it didn’t feel entirely friendly or welcoming.
In fact, it was kind of empty and eerie.
We went to the third floor where Soren showed two rooms across the hall from each other. It was a narrow hallway, only three or four steps between the two doors.
We’d be staying very close together.
“I’ll stay in this one, you can take that one,” Soren said, indicating which one he wanted for himself.
“Thanks,” I nodded.
I turned in the narrow hallway and reached for my door.
“Oh, Mila.”
“Yes?” I asked quickly, whipping around to face him.
“If sothing happens, rember to knock on my door,” he said, wrapping his knuckles on the wood. He smirked “Better not to escape on your own or I’ll have to find you again, just like today.”
My stomach twisted and I smiled nervously. Was that a threat?
I couldn’t get a good read on him. Half the ti he sounded like he was threatening . The other half, it was like he was trying to protect . What was I supposed to think?
Sighing, I pushed away those confusing thoughts and feelings. I could dissect them later. Or better yet, I wouldn’t have to because Soren would be out of my life.
“I got it,” I assured with a nod.
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