I found a thread of rationality and gripped his arm.
"Kayden." My voice came soft. "Don't listen to him."
Kayden looked at me, struggle visible in those golden eyes.
"Don't let him win." I continued, tightening my hold. "He's trying to provoke you."
Kayden drew a deep breath. The gold in his eyes faded slightly.
"After feigning death, where did you go?" Kayden turned back to Finn, piecing together the puzzle.
"The abandoned mining district," Finn answered generously. "This used to be Silver Moon Pack's iron mine, abandoned fifty years ago. No one comes to a place like this—except vampires."
He opened his mouth, fangs gleaming cold in the firelight.
"I gained their power. I wasn't a pure wolf anymore anyway, was I?"
"Mother was cursed, father was a traitor... with bloodline this filthy, might as well fall completely."
"Then you built your forces." Kayden's brow furrowed at the mention of "father," his words quickening. "The attacks on Silver Moon Pack these past seven years—all you."
"Bingo!" Finn snapped his fingers. "Those rogue wolves were all recruited by me. I gave them money, training, reasons to pledge loyalty."
"Want to know the most interesting part, Kayden?"
He paced slowly, each step heavy, echoing through the cavernous mine.
"I was hiding in the shadows, using Victoria's intel, watching every moment of your suffering."
"That feeling..."
He inhaled deeply, eyes closing as if savoring something delicious.
"Sweeter than any revenge."
"Is it enough?" Kayden's gaze went ice-cold. "Your revenge—is it enough yet?"
"Enough?" Finn's eyes snapped open, madness flashing through them. "Never enough!"
"As long as you live, as long as Silver Moon Pack exists, as long as the Blackwood name remains..."
"My revenge will never end!"
"What about Victoria?" I suddenly spoke up.
Finn's smile froze momentarily.
"What?"
"Victoria." I held his gaze, noting every micro-expression. "She did so much for you."
"Played the inside agent, fed you intelligence, even poisoned herself to death in the end..."
"What was she to you?"
Finn's complexion changed. Unnatural color flushed his pale skin, the red light in his eyes flickering erratically, like a bulb with a bad connection.
"Victoria..." His voice wavered. "That... that fool..."
