He was busy,my wolf hums, pleased.He smells good.
We need him for our revenge,she reminds me.
I hesitate. We should go in.I have a good feeling about him.
I knock anyway.
“Come in,” his voice rumbles through the door.
I soften my posture, letting my shoulders curl inward, making myself small. The mask of the weak, human mate slides over me like a second skin.
I hate this part,my wolf mutters.
Just pretend, we don’t want anyone to know our strength, yet, I remind her.
For now, she replies, sharp with promise.
I push the door open.
Rylan stands by the window, moonlight carving his silhouette into sharp relief. He doesn’t turn immediately. “Selena.”
“I—I hope I’m not disturbing you,” I murmur, injecting a slight tremble into my voice.
He turns then, his amber eyes catching mine. Something flickers in their depths, knowledge, perhaps. Or suspicion. “You never disturb me.”
I step inside, careful to keep my movements hesitant, uncertain. My wolf prowls beneath my skin, impatient with this charade, but I silence her. Not yet.
“I didn’t know where else to go,” I say, glancing down at my hands.
Rylan’s jaw tightens. “You don’t have to explain.”
But I do. Every word is a thread in the web I’m weaving. “The pack has been... unkind. I thought things might change, but...“ I let my voice crack perfectly. “It’s worse now.”
He crosses the room in three strides, stopping just short of touching me. His proximity sends electricity skittering across my skin. “What happened?”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” I say, then quickly amend, “I mean... it’s nothing.”
His eyes narrow. “Tell me.”
I bite my lip as if reluctant. “Just some comments. Shoves in the hallway. The usual.” I look up at him through lowered lashes.
I allow a flash of genuine vulnerability. “No one’s been kind since my parents died… except… you.”
Something shifts in his expression, a softening around the eyes, a tension in his shoulders. “I remember them. They were good pack members.”
“They were.” I step closer, watching his reaction. His nostrils flare slightly, taking in my scent. I wonder what he smells, what changes he detects. I know my wolf is different now, stronger, ancient. I wonder if his is too.
“Your scent,” he says abruptly. “It’s changed.”
I turn to face him, maintaining my façade of confused innocence. “Rylan. I just needed someone to talk to… Please.”
His eyes soften, but the knowing gleam remains. He’s playing along, but he’s not fooled. Not entirely. “What do you need from me, Selena?”
“I need your help,” I whisper, letting real desperation seep into my voice. “You were trained to lead this pack since you were a pup. You know things Ronan doesn’t… I need that.”
Rylan brushes a piece of hair behind my ear. “And what exactly are you planning to do with my knowledge, little wolf?"
My wolf purrs.
