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voice asked from above her. Brody stood beside her, hands clasped behind his back and his face a stoic mask of indifference.
    “What are you doing here?” she whispered, scanning the woods to make sure they were alone. If Nathan found out about them sharing a conversation, he’d kill Brody. The thought brought on a wave of panic.
    “I have to know. Tell me she’s not here and I’ll trust you and move on to another Long Claw Clan.”
    “I can’t—”
    He knelt in front her, hands on her knees and eyes wide, beseeching. “Please.” Desperation tinged his voice.
    “Do you love her?” She’d answer him either way, but it felt im portant to learn what Hannah meant to him.
    “I love no one. But I care for her, and for her mate, Riker. He’s the…is she here?”
    Her gaze dropped to his hands, resting warmly on her knees. He didn’t touch her skin, but a blanket of safety seemed to spread from where his fingertips touched the fabric of her jeans. “ Anya, one of Nathan’s mates, told me about a woman who arrived today. Black hair, red lips, nice outfit. Is this Hannah or Merit?”
    “Shit.” He angled his neck and studied the woods behind them. “It’s Merit. She’s seeking vengeance for Riker not taking her as his mate. If Hannah is here, she’s in danger. She’s human.”
    Joanna’s eyes we nt wide. “Human?” Benson Riker had chosen one mate over another. Not only that, but he’d chosen a human. “Does he love her? Your alpha, is he in love with Hannah?”
    “Yes. Very much.” Brody’s eyes were so sad, she reached out and touched his cheek. The skin was smooth over his jaw and his lips were full, inviting.
    “Take me with you.”
    He gripped her hand so fast she gasped, and pulled it away from his face. “No. You’ll bring war between the Long Claws and Bear Valley. I don’t know what you are to Nathan, but you’re important here.”
    “He’s forcing a pairing.” Her voice shook as she lowered it. “I’m not a Long Claw.” She hit her chest with an open palm, the greeting of her people. “I’m Blood Den. The Long Claws took our land and killed or scattered my clan. I was the spoils of war.”
    “How long ago?”
    “Two years. If I stay here, I’ll be claimed as one of his mates.”
    His eyes looked tortured and he made a clucking sound, just one, behind his teeth.
    “Please,” she begged. “Are you unclaimed?”
    “I don’t want a mate.”
    “I don’t either. Are you unclaimed?” she rushed out.
    “Yes.”
    “I’ll search for Merit and Hannah, and if I can find Hannah and escape with her, will you claim me and take me with you?”
    “Why do I have to claim you?” He sounded angry.
    “Because Nathan won’t want me if I’ve been touched by another male. My only way out of this is if I’m ruined for him.”
    “He won’t let you go like that. He’ll bring death to Bear Valley and I can’t risk it.”
    “Don’t you see?” she said, grasping his hands in desperation. “Why wouldn’t he tell you about Merit? If he has Hannah, the mate of Bear Valley’s alpha, it means he’s bringing war to you anyway. Now, he has something to bargain with.”
    His hard expression faltered and she pounced. “Claim me, then leave me. Take me somewhere far away from here. With the Raiders, maybe. Just ruin me for Nathan so I can escape his reach. Please.”
    “I can’t—”
    A twig snapped from a distance off and she jerked her gaze over her shoulder, into the dark woods. “They’re coming,” she breathed.
    “He’ll kill you if he catches you trying to escape with Hannah,” Brody murmured, his eyes burning with intensity.
    It touched her so de eply that a stranger would care. “I’m already dead. Or didn’t you hear?” Another twig snapped much closer and she pulled him close, whispered in his ear, “There is a pond west of here, about two miles off the main road. No one ever visits because it’s clouded with algae. I’ll be there with Hannah tomorrow night at