“I’ll take it from here,” he announces loudly, clearly for the benefit of those watching. He reaches for Selena’s arm, his grip visibly tightening when she doesn’t immediately respond.
I step closer, not touching either of them but making my presence unmistakable. “The doctor was clear about his instructions.”
For a moment, I think Ronan will challenge me outright. His wolf rises to the surface, eyes glowing amber in the dim corridor. Then, abruptly, he releases Selena’s arm.
“Of course,” he says, his voice smooth as silk now. “My mate’s health comes first. I’ll check on you in the morning, darling.” He places a possessive kiss on her forehead that makes my wolf snarl internally.
FAKE. FALSE. UNWORTHY.
Selena nods, her expression carefully neutral. “Goodnight, Ronan.”
I escort her to her quarters in silence, both of us aware of the eyes still following our progress. At her door, I pause, keeping a respectful distance.
“Thank you,” she says, just loud enough for any lingering ears.
“Rest well,” I reply formally. Then, dropping my voice to a whisper only she can hear: “Take the suppressant. I’ll be watching. You know what to do.”
Her eyes meet mine, a flash of understanding passing between us before she slips inside.
Night brings no peace. I pace my quarters like a caged animal, my wolf pushing against my control with increasing urgency.
FOLLOW HIM. FIND PROOF.
I’ve tried to sleep, but every time I close my eyes, I see Selena’s face, the careful mask she wears, the pain beneath. In my previous life, I was blind to what was happening until it was too late. I won’t make that mistake again.
My decision made, I dress quickly in dark clothes, strapping my hunting knife to my thigh more out of habit than necessity. My wolf is weapon enough.
The corridors are mostly empty at this hour, the pack settled into their quarters. I move silently, years of training making my footfalls soundless against the stone floor. Outside, I catch Ronan’s scent immediately, pine and amber, tinged with something sour that wasn’t there in our youth.
I follow it away from the main packhouse, toward the old hunting cabins that dot the edge of our territory. Places secluded enough for secret meetings. Places where sounds don’t carry.
Another scent mingles with his, jasmine and honey, cloying and artificial. Candice.
My lip curls in disgust as I track them deeper into the forest. The cabin comes into view, small, rustic, lights glowing softly behind drawn curtains. I circle it once, finding a position downwind where I can hear without being detected, my enhanced senses easily picking up their voices through the thin walls.
I take out my phone and press record.
“...taking too long,” Ronan’s voice, impatient and harsh, nothing like the controlled tone he uses in public.
“Patience, darling.” Candice’s voice is silky, confident. “These things can’t be rushed. The bond has to break naturally.”
“There’s nothing natural about this,” Ronan snaps. “The bond should have gone to you. You’re the one who deserves to be Luna.”
“And I will be,” she purrs. “Once we’re rid of her.”
I edge closer, my heart pounding against my ribs.
“The council members are still sniffing around,” Ronan continues. “That interfering bitch actually got them to start an investigation.”
“Let them investigate,” Candice says dismissively. “They won’t find anything. We’ve been careful.”
“My brother is watching too closely. He suspects something.”
“Rylan?” Candice laughs, the sound grating against my ears. “He’s been broken since Elise died. No one takes him seriously anymore.”
My claws emerge at the mention of my dead mate’s name on her lips. I force my breathing to steady, focusing on their conversation.
“Still,” Ronan mutters, “we need to accelerate the plan. The suppressants will only weaken the bond temporarily. We need to break her completely.”
