Chapter 157

Deric POV

I didn’t sleep.

The sun was barely cresting the hills, casting my room window in gold, but I’d been up for hours, pacing the length of my room like a caged animal. My wolf snarled and snapped at my insides, refusing to settle, no matter how many times I pressed my fists against my ribs to calm the ache.

Traitor…

The word had burned itself into my thoughts all night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my father’s face, he had been laid to rest, but he seemed restless even as a ghost. I saw Carlton’s satisfied smirk as he took the deeds, the records, every scrap of paper tying Shadowfang to its centuries of hard-won independence.

Sold. I’d sold my ancestors’ blood and sweat for a promise he wouldn’t hurt her. For the hope Ava might be free, that she will see how far I’m ready