“He had held out shakily, like a tree that had been hacked down to its breaking point. But that kiss was the last swing, the final impact, and he gave in finally, felled.”

“His leaving had been like snipping off the end of a rope - leaving two unraveling strands.”

“Peter had stolen a knife. We were seven years old, and we'd caught a rabbit in a trap. We looked at each other darkly, a look I'll never forget, one of a shared savage thrill, like young wolves taking down their first kill.A spill of blood issued from the rabbits neck, a quick red streak across pristine white fur, slow enough to be cruel. I hadn't cut deep enough. Had I wanted to spare its life or prolong its misery? I've never wanted to know the answer.”

“The wolf lives right here. In this village". He looked at the villages. "Among you. It is one of you.”

“If you're the wolf, though, I'll chop off your head and piss down the hole”

“How strange to have a sister, Valarie thought. Someone you might have been.”

“I am going to save your daughter. And then I intend to marry her. I would like your blessing in this, but I can live without it.”