Not only was everything confusing her, but the layered betrayals spun her head even faster. It would be so much simpler if Ronan himself had just taken her and left Oliver at home. She’d still hate it, but the back and forth of wanting to worry about her own life, mixing with how to be a good provider for Oliver, exhausted her in ways that made her heart an angry mess.
Gally looked away, the black smudge around her eyes hallowing them out. "You know I can't say anything. Just... What Fiona stands to gain from this is something she'd easily murder, and even die, for. Your brother is no exception. I could not stop Owen from taking him, nor can I stop Jackson or Fiona, from anything he decides. But I don't want to see the boy hurt."
"Oh, you suddenly want to be helpful?" Rem chided, her back burning from the blood that pumped furiously in her veins. "If you cared, then you would tell Ronanyourselfto get Oliver to safety."
Gally's gaze hardened. "You know nothing of what lies in my heart or what barriers are in my way."
Rem remained mute, getting the feeling that the secrets this family harbored were much deeper than Rem could fathom. And she was tired of them—of all of this, of this shifter life, of how her hair and eyes had to mark her.
Rem dropped the subject and moved forward with dressing. Gally, in her defense, had seemed mortified at what happened to Rem.
Perhaps it couldn't hurt to heed her warnings.
Unless that's what they want.
Gally helped Rem put on the dress, choosing one with sleeves coming to Rem's elbow. Barefoot, she walked down the stairs, doing everything in her power to ignore the throbbing pain as the mauled skin stretched with every step.
Aside from Oliver, hatred kept her going. Many hours and days had passed with nothing for her to do, locking her within wandering imagination and plans of retribution.
She'd put on a mask so she could take it off when she thought it safest.
* * *
The meetingwith the new handler had been swift, and to everyone's chagrin, the new handler clearly smelled the scent of marred flesh. As planned, Rem told the new aid lies about Jackson, claiming he had overstepped with Rem and apologized… As much as it killed her to utter those words.
The new handler—a she-wolf named Lavinia Shaw—bowed her head upon Rem telling the false story, accepting it.
The lie, then acceptance, killed a part of her faith in humanity, even if these were wolves.
Did gran know that the world could be this dark, this twisted?
Rem had learned that Lavinia went by Nia, and she offered to take Rem for a walk, which made Rem very nervous. How was she to act on her own, away from the Callons? She had only ever seen this home. Now she was to walk in their woods?
To her surprise, Fiona agreed to it, deciding that they couldn’t avoid Jackson's blunder any longer, and it was time for Rem to either sink or swim with their plot.
"So, why did you come for me?" Rem asked as she and Nia walked through a path in the woods.
They walked slowly to accommodate for Rem's pain. She glanced at Nia, her skin dark and her long black hair sectioned into thin, meticulous braids that small, golden decorations lined.
"Ronan's orders. He is at the edge of our territory right now but has been asking about your well-being. He wanted another Clan to confirm your health. And by the looks of it, he had the right suspicion."
Rem chewed on her lip, surprised and confused at his attention, even from afar. "Yes, well, I was out of line. I fought Jackson and yelled at him. I kicked him, too." Rem said, feeling bolstered to embellish the lie. The fact that Ronan had sent a third party to check on her was promising, tempting her to gain the Callon’s trust so they’d let her roam free more often.
She'd find a way to tell Ronan the truth. What Alpha would tolerate such a betrayal? Surely, he was the key here. Somehow.
Nia frowned. "Yes, but, I mean... Jacksonattackedyou. My kind are very physical and fight often, but for him to hurt ahumanis odd. Then again, he has always been that way. I suppose Ronan thought Jackson would fear Owen's disappointment enough to not do this to you—" Nia looked at her back "—I really should go tell someone as soon as I can. I mean... Are you sure you're alright, Rem?"
Rem smiled through a grimace, trying to pretend like she was fine. Inside, she felt broken and hollow, and her backached. "I am fine, Nia."
Rem didn't really know what to say. Did she do it? Did she risk speaking? Should she wait for Ronan to look at her back first? She hadn't prepared for this. So instead, she stuck to the lies.
The last thing she wanted to do was act in haste.
Rem winced when she swatted at a fly, which stretched her skin too greatly.
Nia glanced at Rem with a deep care in her dark brown eyes, the almond shape widening with concern. "Please, it's just a little further. I am sorry you have to walk so far."
"It's fine. Where are we going?"
