The gun's body was silver, gleaming coldly under the light.
"The pack was attacked today." He continued, putting the gun away. "For seven years, some mysterious force has been harassing Silver Moon Pack. Their movements are erratic—we can't track them down."
"But this time, the warriors caught a strange scent."
"Vampire scent."
My heart sank. "So..."
"So I had people rush-make these weapons, gave one to every warrior," Kayden said. "This is prototype equipment."
"Didn't think..." He glanced at the corpses. "I'd use it so soon. And here."
We locked eyes. In that electric moment, something clicked.
"The note... check that note!" I pointed to the nightstand area, now chaotic from the fight. The note I'd found earlier was lying in a pool of blood on the floor.
Kayden pulled me up from the ground. Kai still buried himself in my embrace, not daring to look up. I sat back on the bed, the softbedding settling my nerves slightly. Kayden stepped around the corpses and picked up the blood-stained note.
"Layla Gray, you can't escape." Kayden read the line grimly. Hearing those words, the terror of fighting vampires, of nearly dying, washed over me again. I shivered involuntarily.
"Not a coincidence." I forced the words out, fighting to keep my voice steady.
"No." Kayden nodded, walking toward me. "Too many coincidences stop being coincidences."
"Tonight, the pack was attacked, Lucas took you, and then vampires attacked you at the hospital. And this note..."
His fingers clenched, crumpling the paper. I could see him suppressing his rage.
"Someone knows your true identity." Kayden's voice was heavy, weighted with approaching storm. "Knows your connection to me. Knows Kai exists."
Cold sweat broke out down my back. "You mean..."
"Misdirection." Kayden voiced my suspicion. "They attacked the pack first to draw my attention. If I'd rushed back to the pack when I got word, even if Anna called, I wouldn't have made it to Lucas in time to save you."
"When Lucas failed, they sent the vampires—these." He glanced at the corpses.
"Just low-level vampires. Usually used as assassins and scouts. With me gone, they were sent to capture... or just kill you and Kai outright." After saying this, Kayden's eyes grew colder.
"But why?" I couldn't control my inner collapse. The succession of dangers was driving me to the edge. "I've been 'dead' for seven years. Why would they still..."
"Because the real killer knows you're alive." Kayden interrupted, holding up the note again. "This person knows Silver Moon Pack intimately. Knows my movements. And even..."
"Knows you're my fated mate. Knows what happened seven years ago."
I was speechless. Suddenly, it felt like countless eyes were watching me. Crushing fear descended.
We fell silent, thoughts racing.
Who would know all this?
Who would know I was alive, know I was Kayden's mate, and be able to command vampires?
And also...
"Sir..."
Kai's voice cut through everything. He'd been hiding in my arms, but now he'd recovered from his fright enough to peek out at Kayden. More precisely, at the gun at his waist.
