BURNS

Ripped apart by wolves in the wilderness? A fitting end for a hunter.

Better than being ripped apart by her. I imagined a pack would be more merciful.

Bout time you put your angst to use."

It seemed unlikely I’d make it back into the woods soon, and here he was flaunting scars from his glorious outings like battle wounds. That they looked good on him made it even worse.

I’m leaving you, but I love you. I’m breaking your heart, but it’s probably because I don’t deserve you.

I will miss you the most.

I slammed the door on my way out. It was foolish and only showed what a child I still was. I knew it, but if I’d had one hundred doors, I would have slammed every last one of them. I wanted to break something.

You would see me fed to the wolves.”

Liar, I thought, and while I meant to keep it as that, just a silent thought in my mind, my anger wouldn’t oblige.

And what do you care?”

“I care.”

“Why?”

“Because—because I’m responsible for you.”

Wrong thing to say. Stupid, stupid thing to say. Gods, why did I keep doing that? I was only making the divide between us wider, but my fear was on my back, pushing me blindly forward. I turned away from her and tried to get myself under control.

He hadn’t fed me to the wolves. That was nice

If it comes to bloodshed, we stand down.” He shook his head. “They can have you.”