Anne's POV

Anne felt something tingle inside as she felt Andrew's hand on her shoulder. She wouldn't let him know how much she wanted someone to trust, how much she wanted to trust Andrew. How had she become so attached to this man in such a short time? Men were not trustworthy. 

"I am not leaving without you. I'm going to stay here until we both find out what's happening here."

Did he actually mean that? Or did he only want her to think he can be someone who cared about her? She would start to trust him, would let her guard down, and then what? If he was a good man, Arthur would kill him, but if he wasn't... he would only hurt her.

Fear gripped her throat and started to choke her, making it hard to breathe. Her voice was hoarse when she said, "I don't need your help." She turned and walked down the street.

But what if she was wrong? She wanted to turn around. But her fear was stronger. It kept her feet moving at a fast pace and her head from looking behind her to see if he was following her. But when he didn't appear at her side like he did earlier, her eyes stung. Was she actually what her father started calling her years ago, when she was too you to understand what he was talking about. "You're a tempter and will end up pregnant begging on the streets."

A couple of years later, she learned she wasn't a tempter , but the words seemed stuck in her mind forever.

Andrew hadn't tried to take advantage of her. He also didn't call her names like she did. Instead, he was kind and stepped in front of The Beast to protect her. Now he was offering to stay close to her to protect her again.

Her heart pounded in her chest. What should she do? Should she trust him? Fear choked her again. She stopped and turned around.

Andrew was still standing where she left him. He was staring back at her.

She started walking back to him as her hands shook. 

Bad things will happen if you let him help you. You will hate yourself for trusting him.

But she didn't stop. She walked all the way towards him.

What would she do if he smirked or laughed at her? She would feel like a fool.

He didn't move, and his expression was neutral as he watched her come closer and closer.

"It's dangerous. But if you want to... to help me discover what is happening with the children... I would be very grateful for your help."

He straightened his shoulders. "I would love to help you."

Andrew walked next to her as they started walking back towards the house she had lived in since she was seven.

Would she soon be free from Arthur? Free from his abuse and threats? She would make sure she and her mother never had to cower to him again. She would find a house for both of them, and she would provide for them herself. They would live off of the animals she hunted, and maybe Mother would start a business selling the blankets that she made. Anne also had a small stash of money hidden in her room from selling some of the animals she hunted, but it wasn't enough to buy a house. The most challenging thing she would have to do, though, is to convince her mother to leave Arthur.

The sight of Emma's father hurrying down the street toward her pulled her out of her thoughts. 

"Anne, you said to let you know if Emma said anything else, right?"

"Yes. Did she say something?"

"I asked her where she had been and she said, 'In the mine.'" 

"In the mine?"

"I asked her what she was doing in there, and she said she was digging rock. I tried to ask her what kind of rocks and where the mine was, but she started to cry and wouldn't talk anymore. Do you know what any of this means?"

Anne shook her head. "No, I don't."

Her mind raced. She didn't know of any mines in this area. There were some over the mountains, but those were hundreds of miles away.

Anne asked, "Do you know where the closest mine is to Pinecrest?"

Mr. Kingsley shook his head. "She's so young. What could she know about mines and mining?"

"I don't know, but don't tell anyone else about this, not until we figure this out."

He nodded. "I understand. And I will let you know if she says anything else."

"Thank you," Andrew said. "We appreciate it."

Since when had she and Andrew become a "we"?

Andrew's POV

Andrew made an effort to smile and look pleased when they met Arthur inside his office, but his skin crawled when he thought about this man hurting Anne.

"Got that arm all patched up?" Arthur asked. But before Andrew could reply, he said, "We have the best doctor in Scotland. If Mrs. Twain tells me what herbs to take for a sickness, I take them because I know nothing else will work." He looked back and forth between Anne and Andrew. "God must be watching out for you two today. The Beast has killed so many people before you. It's strange that you were able to kill it so easily."

"It wasn't easy," Andrew said. "And no one else had Anne with them with her bow and arrow."

He looked at her to see how she would take the compliment. A look of pleasure flickered across her face, but it disappeared quickly.

"Anne always carries her bow. I'm surprised she hasn't shot herself yet. You better hope she doesn't mistake you for a wolf and shoot you." He laughed. "So, how's the arm?"

"The arm is good."

"Did Mrs. Twain say anything about how she thought the arm would heal? Did she mention any problems it might have? Because, you know, the last man who got attacked died of infection."

"I should hell well."

"I am happy. Come. Let's have some lunch. In the meantime, I sent my men to examine the animal. If it's The Beast, we'll parade it through town, and you and my daughter will be praised."

They went to the dining room with Anne trailing behind them, her eyes wary. For a moment, he thought she might stay behind in Arthur's office, but Arthur closed the door behind them, and locked it, dropping his key in his pocket.

After they finished eating, a servant walked into the room, whispering something in Arthur's ear.

Arthur said, "Is everyone finished? Let us see what my men have to say about The Beast."

They got up and followed Arthur to his office. Standing against the wall was Robert and another man beside him. Arthur unlocked the door and they all went in.

The hair on the back of Andrew's neck stood up. Arthur's expression was too smug.

"What did you find?"

Robert spoke, "The animal we found dead was a young wolf, but not uncommonly big. "It wasn't old enough to have killed the victims."

"That's a lie," Anne said. "It wasn't a young wolf and it was uncommonly big."

"Are you calling me a liar?" Robert said, taking a step closer towards Anne.

"Yes."

Andrew took a step closer to Anne, ready to step between her and the guard.

Arthur held up his hand. "Calm down. It's understandable that an inexperienced woman might think a young, small wolf was The Beast. But, Lord Andrew, you noticed it wasn't an uncommonly large animal, right?"

"The animal we killed wasn't young or small."

Arthur turned towards his men. "We will go and see the body, then."

They cleared their throats. 

"What is it?"

Robert coughed. "We already buried it."

Arthur threw up his hands. "Why would you do such a thing? I don't suppose you could find it now, could you?" Arthur gave a slight shake of his head, a movement so tiny Andrew might've missed it if he hadn't been paying such close attention to Arthur.

"It was somewhere in the woods. I can't tell you where. We just dug a hole."

"well, there's nothing we can do now." Arthur turned back to Andrew. "Are you satisfied now?"

"Satisfied?"

"That it wasn't The Beast. It's an honest mistake. The wolves in Dawnridge are probably not a big and strong as our wolves."

Andrew nearly laughed at that excuse. But he bit back the sarcastic reply and said. "Maybe so."

Anne's eyes were narrowed, but she stood still and quiet. She was staring hard at Arthur's desk. Andrew followed her gaze and saw a large sheet of parchment lying on the desk.

An idea started forming in Andrew's mind.

Arthur chuckled. "You two thought you killed The Beast." He started laughing.

Anne took the chance to slide closer to his desk.

Andrew started moving towards the door. As he'd hoped, Arthur stepped that way as well, the guards following.

Andrew leaned closer to Arthur. "What do you think about The Beast, mayor?"

Anne was behind their backs, leaning over Arthur's desk. When Robert turned to look behind him, Anne quickly straightened and moved to follow. The guard looked suspicious at her but didn't say anything.

As Andrew and Arthur stepped out of the room, Arthur waited for everyone to leave. Just as her stuck his hand in his pocket, Andrew put his arm around Arthur's shoulders and said loudly, "How about a drink. I need something to soothe my disappointment." he had to think of something quickly, and it was the only think that came to his mind.

"Now you're talking! Come on!"

Arthur led the way towards the dining room, forgetting all about locking the door.

Andrew forced himself not to glance over his shoulder. He hoped Anne was taking advantage of this opportunity and that the guards were not paying any attention to her.