Vera leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her sharp eyes drilling into Dreck like she was trying to peel him open and read what was inside.
The silence between them thickened, her breath slicing through it like a whip.
Finally, she gave a slow, mocking clap.
"Well fuck me, Dreck," she drawled. "You survived a Bloodfang massacre. Aren’t you just a lucky little bastard."
She plastered on a sweet smile, tilting her head. "So, Dreck... how did you manage to get out alive? Alpha Velor isn’t exactly known for his mercy."
Dreck’s jaw tightened. "Luck.Like you mentioned. "
"Luck?" She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Bullshit. That bastard skins people alive. So either you are lying, or you have got some fucking secret worth knowing."
He shot her a glare. "Drop it, Vera."
She smirked, stretching her legs out. "Fine, keep your secrets. But while you are at it, take a look around! "
Dreck didn’t respond. His eyes were vacant. Haunted. Like his soul hadn’t quite caught up with his body yet.
Vera clicked her tongue and crouched in front of him, cupping his chin with her fingers like she was sizing up a piece of meat at market.
"Why would they let you go?" she asked, sweet as sugar. "Hm? What did you do? Drop to your knees and suck off their Alpha for mercy?"
Dreck flinched away from her touch, jaw clenching.
"I didn’t beg," he spat. "Didn’t even speak."
"Then why?Tell me. " she pressed, eyes narrowing. "He spared you for fun? That doesn’t sound like Alpha Velor. He is a fucking butcher!"
Dreck looked away."I think it was her," he muttered.
"Her?" Vera’s eyes lit up with dangerous curiosity.
"The woman. The Alpha’s mate.That’s the only reason I can think of."
Vera tilted her head, something sharp and cold glittering in her gaze.
"You think she saved you out of all the bastards that attacked her?Why would she? Did you fuck her that good? "
Dreck shrugged helplessly. "No! I... I tried to stop the others. I told them we should leave. I even tried to protect a boy she was with. She saw me. Maybe that’s why."
"Maybe," Vera murmured, then smiled wide...wolfish.
"Or maybe you were just too pathetic to waste a bullet on."
She rose to her feet and turned around slowly, taking in their cabin.
It was barely holding on from the inside...wood cracked, roof half caved in, a cold wind snaking through the gaps. There was no firewood, no food, no water. Not even a spare cloth to patch their clothes.
Winter would chew them alive.
"Shit," Vera whispered. "I thought we would eat something decent with the kill you brought.We are so screwed."
Dreck dragged himself up with effort. "Don’t worry,Vera.We will move east. Find another packless zone. Hunt small game. Avoid patrols."
"Oh, brilliant plan, Dreck," Vera snapped. "Let’s starve while playing hide and seek with border patrols. That’ll be so cozy when the snow comes in."
She turned and sauntered to the table, kicking aside an empty bottle.
"Or..." She trailed her finger along the dusty surface, then turned to face him with a glint in her eye.
Dreck stared at her like she had lost her damn mind."Go back?"
"To Bloodfang? Are you fucking insane?!"
"Disguised," she said smoothly, holding up her hands. "As merchants. Travelers. We take offerings. Maybe they let us in. Maybe we find this precious little mate of Alpha Velor’s again."
"No," Dreck growled. "Absolutely not. Do you have a death wish? They spared me once. They won’t make that mistake again."
Vera rolled her eyes and strutted over, pushing him down onto the nearest chair.
"Think, you stubborn mutt. You said she spared you. Which means she’s got a soft spot. Maybe a bleeding little heart under all that Alpha breeding. You get in her good graces, we get food, we get shelter, maybe even rank."
"I said maybe. And you are dreaming," Dreck hissed. "They will sniff us out the moment we set foot near the border."
"Not if we play it smart," Vera purred. "We shave your damn beard, get some clean clothes, patch your wounds, get me a skirt that actually hides a knife or two..."
"You are doing it," she snapped, suddenly cold. "Unless you plan to freeze your balls off out here with nothing but pinecones and dead rats for company."
Dreck stood, fists clenched."I am not risking my neck because you are hungry !"
She shoved him. Hard."And I am not dying in this shithole cabin while you sulk and wait for death like a whipped pup!"
They stood chest to chest, breathing hard, eyes locked. Then her voice dropped, venom sweet.
"You think anyone will remember your name if you rot here? That woman remembered you, Dreck. Use it. Milk it. Or die. Your call."
Dreck looked away, jaw clenched so hard it creaked.
She smirked."You are still breathing . So pick a side, darling. Die with frostbite or walk into the lion’s den wearing silk and a smile.Play the humble servant. And let me do the talking."
He shook his head violently. "No. Fuck no. I am not going back there."
Vera’s smile turned razor sharp. She leaned in, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Oh, Dreck... you forget. I know what you did back in Blackmane territory. How you slit that beta’s throat for a handful of silver." She tilted her head. "You think the Bloodfangs are the only ones who would kill you on sight?"
His face paled. "You wouldn’t."
She laughed, cold and bright. "Try me."
" And I know what you tried to do at the Blackmoon pack too. So don’t try to use the blackmail card on me! "
Silence. They glared at each other for what seemed like eternity!
"...Fuck," Dreck muttered, scrubbing a hand down his face. "Fine."
"That’s the spirit!" Vera clapped her hands with a wicked grin. "Let’s get you cleaned up. First impressions matter. And trust me..." Her voice dipped into a dark chuckle. "We are going to need every bit of charm we have got if we are going to con our way into the Bloodfangs."
"This is a bad idea."
"It’s a terrible idea," she agreed cheerfully. "But it’s better than dying with your face half eaten by wolves and frostbite chewing your ass off.Being a rogue isn’t easy,damn it! Not easy at all." She heaved, turning around. " Fuck you, Autumn! I am going you fuck your damn life once I get back up! " She muttered under her breath clenching her fists together.