Chapter 21 · The Dead Man Talks

Grey steps into the cell. The man behind him stumbles forward, hands bound, and I see his face under the torchlight.

Garrett Stone.

My father's Beta. The man who taught me to track. Who carried me on his shoulders during pack runs. Who died six years ago when Ironridge burned Thornwood to ash.

Except he didn't.

I yank against the chains. The wolfsbane burns through my wrists and I don't care. "What the hell is this?"

Grey closes the door behind them. Slow. Calm. Like he's got all night. "I thought you might want to see an old friend."

"He's dead."

"Clearly not."

Garrett doesn't look at me. His eyes are wrong. Glassy. Empty. There's a bruise across his jaw and dried blood under his nose. His hands shake.

"What did you do to him?" My voice cracks. I hate that it does.

Grey leans against the wall, arms crossed. "I didn't do anything. I found him three months ago. Alive. Hiding in a rogue camp near the northern border."

My chest tightens. "You're lying."

"Am I?" Grey tilts his head. "Ask him yourself."

I stare at Garrett. He still won't meet my eyes.