Derren smiled a little. “If you like the outside, you’ll love the inside.”
It turned out that he was right. The two-story den was gorgeous with its stone fireplace, corner sofa, chest-like coffee table, and a massive TV on the wall. From there, it was easy to see the lofted bedroom, which was located above the small dining area and kitchen, overlooking the den.
The oak flooring continued through the entire space, matching the oak kitchen. At the rear of the lodge was a staircase that led to the bedroom and bathroom. The right wall of the bedroom was all glass, giving the space plenty of light. But . . . “This glass is reflective, right?” she asked Derren, who was placing her luggage at the foot of her bed.
Amused, Derren assured her, “Yes. No one can see inside.” He pointed to his own lodge, which was bigger than hers but simpler in its design. “I live across the lake.” Then he found himself blurting out, “Why was your childhood pack assassinated?” Just like that, her expression shuttered. “Don’t do that,” he said. For some reason, the idea of her closing down on him . . . it offended him.
Memories smacked into Ally. Screaming. Howling. Her nails snapping as she clawed at the—
Ally slammed a door on the memories. When she finally spoke, her tone was flat. “I don’t talk about it. Ever.”
As she headed for the stairs, Derren realized he’d been effectively dismissed. He didn’t like that. And if she thought he was so easily handled, she was in for a big surprise. He followed her into the kitchen, where she switched on the coffeepot. “I won’t press you on that.” For now. “But there is something else I need to know.”
Finally finding the cupboard where mugs were kept, she grabbed only one to make a statement to the persistent asshole that he wasn’t welcome to stay. Annoyingly, that seemed to amuse him. “What’s that?” she said.
He leaned against the counter, intensely aware of this female in a way that unnerved him. His eyes settled on her luscious mouth; images of just what he could do with that mouth flickered through his brain. “What really happened in the Collingwood Pack? I’ve heard a little from Cain, and I’ve heard Matt’s version, but I haven’t heard yours.” And when he’d watched her overpower Rachelle, it had become blindingly clear that Ally wouldn’t have needed to attack her from behind. So just maybe Ally had been wrongly accused after all.
“You know all you need to know. She said I tried to kill her. I didn’t.”
“There’s more.” Cain had said the pack had been giving her a hard time. “I’ve been charged with protecting you. I can’t do that if I don’t know everything.” And, yeah, he was being nosy too. His smile widened as he watched her pour more milk in her mug than coffee.
Turning away, she headed outside with her drink. “I’m away from the Collingwood wolves now—that’s all that matters.” Seeing a hammock on the porch, Ally knew she’d be spending a lot of time out here, relaxing.
Derren followed her, coming to stand in front of where she sat on the porch step. Bruce settled beside her, his wagging tail tapping the deck. “You really think they’ll leave you alone? Obviously you didn’t see the possessiveness on Zeke’s face when he looked at you.” Derren’s wolf growled at the memory. “He still considers you his, and neither he nor his wolf is going to like that someone took you away.”
She believed Zeke still cared for her, but not that he’d had any trouble letting go—particularly since he’d bought Rachelle’s lies and refused to get Ally a transfer. “If that were true, he wouldn’t have turned on me the way he did.”
“Trust me, he hasn’t let you go yet. As for his mate, she was genuinely angry that you left.” He took a single step toward Ally, compelled by the wicked urge to touch her that he very barely resisted. It didn’t help that he took her enticing scent inside him on every inhale. “Tell me.”
Caught in the power of his dark gaze, Ally did. She gave him the entire story, beginning when Zeke met Rachelle and ending with the things Zeke had said after the interrogation. “I think she wanted me executed eventually. But not yet. What she was doing wasn’t really much different from someone physically torturing their captive as they lead up to the main event.” She sighed, getting to her feet. “Well, it’s late. Good night.”
Dismissed again. Derren went to grab her wrist but she jerked away, avoiding his touch like it was a poisonous snake. It shouldn’t have bothered him. Not a tiny, little bit. But a growl seeped out of him just as his wolf tugged at the reins, offended and angered by the rejection. “Problem?” he rumbled.
“There won’t be as long as you don’t touch me.”
He stepped right into her personal space, leaving only inches between them. “Oh? And why is that?” And why did he care?
“It’ll hurt.”