341 The Reason Why

LERRIN

"If you do not wish to listen, or to speak to me, you have only to say so, Lerrin. I submit. I will not fight your orders," Suhle muttered and began to turn away from.

Lerrin blinked, realizing where he was. He'd fallen into the memory so deeply he'd lost himself. When he saw Suhle beginning to leave it was instinct to take her arm, to catch her elbow—and he cursed himself the moment she flinched.

Yanking his hand back, he swore at himself for the fear he saw in her eyes. "Suhle, I would never hurt you," he whispered a moment later. "You do not need to fear me."

"You really do not understand, do you, Lerrin?"

His anger still simmered in his chest, but he knew he had to be patient with her. He couldn't send her out already shaking and fragile when she might meet one of those wolves… he growled, shaking his head and pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes.

Tell me what I do not understand, he sent. Tell me.