"What do you mean?" I eyed him warily.
"A partnership offer," Falcon said. "He'll be coming alone to save you. If you cooperate and help us lure him into a trap, we'll not only set you free but also eliminate any werewolf you want."
"Hunters want to partner with a werewolf?" I felt like I was hearing a fairy tale. "You must be joking!"
"Don't refuse so quickly." Falcon toyed with his pistol. "We're a very trustworthy team. Just ask Miss Liv."
The unexpected name froze me. "Liv?"
Falcon smiled. "She was our first partner. She wanted to become the Vernal Luna, and we wanted Vernal pelts. So we struck a pleasant deal. She gave us Vernal's defense layouts and warehouse locations. We took care of her biggest obstacle. You."
I was too shocked to speak. I just stared at him with wide eyes.
Falcon continued. "There was a small hiccup. We attacked the safe house she'd pointed us to, but you weren't there… I don't consider that our mistake. Even so, we compensated Miss Liv generously. After she faked her death, we sheltered her for six whole months, then sent her back to the Vernal Alpha at the perfect moment?—"
"Unfortunately, despite everything we did for her, she proved rather incompetent. After more than four years, she still couldn't win the Alpha's trust or love. So we've decided to drop her." Falcon spread his hands. "This time, we can partner with Miss Serenity instead. I'm sure you're far smarter than she was. You know what the best choice is."
The flood of information made my head spin.
I suddenly remembered what Elias had told me at the café—that he'd discovered who the real traitor was. It had been Liv all along!
No wonder all the evidence about the traitor had pointed at me. No wonder Liv had jumped off that cliff right in front of me. It had all been to frame me, to drive me away from Elias!
"So, Miss Serenity, what's your answer?" Falcon pressed. Despite his polite words, his eyes held an icy killing intent. I realized I had no real choice. Agree, or die.
"Wait, what does this mean? You're going to let her go?" Frank suddenly panicked. "You can't do this! If you free her, she'll come after me! I helped you so much! You promised you'd get rid of her!"
Falcon shot him an impatient look. "That's your problem."
"No, you can't do this!" I pretended to consider the offer. "I might take your deal. But I have one condition."
"What?" Falcon asked.
I fixed Frank with an icy stare. "Deal with him first."
Falcon raised an eyebrow. I continued without expression. "I don't work with people who betrayed me. Besides, do you really trust him? Today he sold me out for money. Tomorrow, it’ll be you. You should know which has more value to you: a broke gambler or the Luna of a major werewolf pack."
Frank's eyes went wide. His face turned ashen. "No... that's not... Don't listen to her!"
Falcon studied him thoughtfully, then signaled to his men.
"No!" Frank turned to run.
BANG!
A bullet hit his leg. He screamed and collapsed.
"You bitch!" he shrieked at me. "You'll burn in hell!"
I watched him calmly. "There's already a spot waiting for you."
A second shot.
Frank's eyes stayed open as the life drained out of him. Blood quickly spread across the church floor. An eerie silence settled over everything.
"Satisfied now, Miss Serenity?" Falcon asked with a smile. "Now, your answer?"
I took a deep breath, met his mocking eyes, and said firmly, "Go to hell."
