The man seemed dazed and confused when William shoved him against the tree. It took a few moments to register what was happening before his eyes widened in pure fear and recognition. "I-"
William slammed his head back against the tree and dragged the man further into the woods. Doris hesitated and looked around to see no one was nearby before she followed him.
Patrick was already there by the time Doris found them again. The man was shoved on the floor between William and Patrick, he had his hands up as if he could ward off their blows. but even Doris knew it was no use acting helpless.
"Who are you and why were you targeting the prince?" Patrick demanded. He quickly stepped on the man's hand when he tried to move away from them. Doris cringed at the sound of his bones cracking. It brought her right back to the room with Jack when he did the same to her. She took a small step back and wrapped her arms around herself.
There was a bit of clarity in his eyes when he looked at the men that towered over him. Perhaps the dose of cure was already working in his system. A shame it wouldn't really matter soon.
"I-I don't know what you guys are talking about-"
Patrick kicked the man in the face, Doris looked away. "That's not what we asked. We know you were part of the group of wolves that tried to assassinate the prince." Patrick kneeled down and gripped the man by his chin to force him to look at him. "Who sent you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" The man shouted and tired to pull away from Patrick, but he held firm. It brought back horrible memories of the palace... did they all torture people for information?
"Where are you from, then? Why did you come for the prince?" Patrick asked, his patience running thin.
"Alright, alright! We came from Life Pharmacy! We heard the prince was nearby and we knew he couldn't be trusted. The royal family has been our enemy for decades. We were gathered and came up with a plan to follow his carriage and attack at the right moment."
William shifted a little. He glanced back to make sure Doris was still close by before he looked back down at the man. "I knew I felt someone following me. How long?"
"Three days. You were never alone, the fight at Enzo's camp was the perfect opportunity."
"Who owns Life Pharmacy?" Patrick asked. The man started to move away again and Patrick forced him back in place before he smacked him. "Did you hear me?"
"Enzo does."
The group froze. Patrick and William shot looks at each other but Doris couldn't see William's face. There was no way Enzo had anything to do this, Doris knew that.
"Did Enzo ask you to kill me?" William asked with a drop of venom in his voice.
"Our pack decided amongst ourselves." The man spat. Doris flinched, it wasn't going to end pretty for him if he thought it was wise to talk back to them.
"Who else is in your group? What are their names?" Patrick asked.
The man started to laugh suddenly. He laid his head back in the snow and closed his eyes. "I'll never rat my brothers out. You might as well kill me now."
"You heard the man." William said as he turned towards Doris and took her arm to lead her away. "Kill him now."
"Wait! No!" The man screamed. A loud smack sounded behind them as they walked out of the woods. William gripped her arm hard enough so she wouldn't look back. She knew that he was already dead before they even got out of earshot. It was strange to think that only a few weeks ago she had never really been around death. Now it was everywhere she turned.
They walked in silence back to the horse. The streets were deserted and quiet, she imaged everyone was already asleep and warm in their own beds. Safe and cozy, how she longed for that instead of being here. He said nothing as he lifted her on the horse and got on himself. She knew a hurricane was brewing in his mind and she couldn't help but wonder if he had a new suspicion about Enzo.
They rode back hard and fast, even with the growing wind. Part of Doris worried a storm was coming, but William acted like one was already here. He didn't stop once until they reached it back to the camp in record time. Her mind briefly wondered if Patrick had already disposed of the body and was on his way back too.
He steered the horse into the stables and slid off before he helped her off. He barely looked at her, only turned and made his way out into the snow.
And right towards Enzo's cabin.
Doris quickly followed even though she knew she could never stop a fight between them. "You don't think he honestly ordered your murder, do you?" Doris said to his back.
He turned and she stopped dead in her tracks. His face had been taken over by a rage that chilled her bones and made her wish she could suck her words right back.
"Do not try to defend him to me, Doris. You don't know who he is or how dangerous he is." William said, each word almost made her flinch. "You may be daft enough to trust every kind man, but I'm not."
He turned without another word, but Enzo was already standing there with his hands behind his back. It was empty of other villagers who must have already been asleep. Otherwise she knew they would have loved to see this scene play out.
"I wouldn't underestimate how smart our Doris is, prince."
William's jaw tensed. "She's not your anything."
Enzo smiled at Doris over William's shoulder and offered a shrug that said, can you believe this guy?
William growled. "Why did you send your men to assassinate me? I thought you claimed peace in this land."
Enzo looked taken aback by his words. His brows furrowed in confusion. "You mean when your pack attacked ours?"
"No, I mean Life Pharmacy." William's hands clenched into fists at his sides.
"I take it your little plan worked, then." Enzo said with a nod. "I only wonder why you think I would encourage it if I had anything to do with the man you sought out."
"Life Pharmacy is owned by you." William stretched his fingers and clenched them again.
"That may be so, but I didn't put out an order on your head. Even when you tore through a few of my villages looking for your girl." Enzo flicked a piece of dirt off his suit. "Whoever did so was not granted my approval-not that I would have ever given it to them unless it was under self defense."
"Then who would have took it upon themselves to hunt down William?" Doris asked. She eyed William as she stepped up. "When we came, there was a decoy carriage that was taken down the second it passed through the north. Perhaps it's the same people who did that."
Enzo looked thoughtful. "It could be. I wasn't aware you were coming to the north until you were here. Is there anyone from the castle that might have fed information to someone at Life Pharmacy?"
William and Doris shared a quick glance but said nothing. Enzo only smiled. "Ah, we all got our secrets. Perhaps it's not wise to keep so many when your life is at risk. But, nonetheless, I would like to know who is conspiring behind my back. Killing a prince is enough to bring a war on our land and something I would never risk."
"I wouldn't worry too much about a war. My family isn't known for their love in me." William said bitterly and walked by Enzo.
"Think what you will, prince, but I know even the smallest insult can bring a kingdom down." Enzo watched William across the snow. "How about this," William slowed his steps. "I set up a meeting for you two to visit the pharmacy as normal guests. You might be able to uncover some answers if they don't recognize you."
William turned back with a look of annoyance on his face. "And how do you figure people wouldn't recognize me?"
Enzo laughed. "You can easily be disguised from people who have never seen you up close. To them you're just a myth that walks around a palace, they have no idea what you look like when you dress like one of us."
"He's right." Doris said. "In the market, no one looked at you twice. The only reason you were sought out is and found is because they knew where to look for you."
William narrowed his eyes. "How far is this place?"
"Not far. I like to keep my things close to me. You'll have to give me a few days to set up something believable for your visit." Enzo turned a smirk on Doris. "I suppose you can pretend you're married a little longer."