“No,” I answered calmly. “Most of them accepted what was done to you because it was easier than questioning it.”
Her gaze lowered briefly after that.
“Some enjoyed it,” she said quietly.
I didn’t argue with her.
Brent had enjoyed it. Torvin had enjoyed parts of it too. Others had simply allowed it because Ashcrest had taught them obedience mattered more than conscience. None of that changed the reality standing beside me now.
“They won’t make that mistake again,” I said.
Her eyes lifted toward mine slowly. There was still adjustment in her expression whenever I said things like that, like part of her expected promises to disappear the moment she reached for them. I understood why.
We continued walking without hurrying.
The further we moved through the territory, the more the pack r
